Texas House Bill 1271 mandates affordable housing

Rodriguez bill aimed at TODs

Wendy Natt, Feb 19, 09.

Texas House Bill 1271, introduced earlier this month by State Representative Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin), would require at least 10 percent of the residential portion of transit-oriented developments, or TODs, to comprise affordable housing units, according to an article in the Austin paper Community Impact. At least 25 percent of the TOD’s tax increment revenue would be earmarked for construction of affordable housing for people earning less than 50 percent of the area’s median income.

The bill’s specification that it be applied to TODs in counties “with a population of more than 800,000 and less than 1.4 million” makes Travis County the only county in which it currently would take effect. HB 1271 complements the City of Austin’s existing plans with respect to TOD and increased housing options, says the Community Impact story.

(photo credit: City of Austin website)