AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council is inching closer to a vote on Phase 2 of the HOME (Home Options for Middle-Income Empowerment) Initiative.
If approved, Phase 2 would reduce minimum lot sizes for homes in Austin. Right now, the minimum lot size is 5,570 square feet. Under Phase 2, that number would drop to 2,000 square feet, only around one-third of what it is now.
At a city council meeting Thursday, at least 200 people weighed in, giving both their support and opposition.
Supporters of the initiative stressed the need for lower housing costs in Austin.
"I was born and raised in Central Austin, and I'm a fourth-generation Austinite. I don't think my children will be fifth-generation Austinites. This is the end of the line for my family," Ella Thompson said. "Today's vote is on whether we are allowed to build small, affordable homes or only McMansions. This vote is on whether ordinary people are allowed to subdivide their lots and build back units so they can stay in their neighborhoods, or whether only huge developers who can afford a giant lot can build."
But opponents worry it will do nothing for affordability.
"You are choosing to sacrifice the most vulnerable communities in Austin for developer profits and for tech billionaires," Sol Praxis told the city council.
These tense moments come months after the council passed Phase 1 of the HOME Initiative, which allowed up to three units on a single-family lot and removed restrictions on how many nonrelated adults can live in a home.
"I've seen many family members and friends benefit from having the option to buy smaller homes where they do exist. HOME won't fix everything, but I earnestly believe it will help," Edgar Handal said.
Some Austinites are also asking city leaders to take more steps to preserve existing affordable housing and protect residents who could be forced to move.
"Mayor Watson, your legacy will be displacement. Councilmember Vela, your legacy will be making Austin a hostile place for poor people and people of color," Ucha Abbah said.
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