Issues

    • Dedicated to dismantling systemic racism, and putting an end to the City of Austin’s gentelmans agreement

    • Advocacy for equal treatment and opportunities for all

    • Becoming more proactive to avoid unnecessary public division and litigation where possible;

    • Addressing displacement with innovative solutions

    • Advocating for diverse and affordable housing options

    • Having more proactive plans that will lead to housing that our residents can afford, not affordable housing for which the costs and quantity are unknown

    • Commitment to fully funding the climate equity plan and consideration for possible changes to the climate equity plan

    • Reducing carbon footprints and addressing heat islands

    • Climate bond initiatives to make our city safer and more livable

    • Leveraging Inflation Reduction Act funding

    • Ensuring police accountability and reducing excessive force

    • Promoting safe neighborhoods through community involvement

    • Assessing ability of current infrastructure

    • Assessing ability of police and fire departments where and when needed

    • Supporting working people and creatives earning below the median family income

    • Keeping essential workers in the city

    • Asking our corporate partners to join with us more proactively to make keep Austin special

Gary supports balanced development that adds density and additional housing options to help address affordable housing for missing middle, lower-income people, artists and musicians, public safety employees, seniors, and longtime residents.

Balanced development involves input from impacted communities, neighborhoods, and developers; lays out shared solutions for existing Austin residents and new Austinites who are moving here; and continues to protect our environment and infrastructure. 

GARY’S POSITION

Affordable Housing & Land Use

Gary’s Proposed Solutions:

  • Building more public/private developments like the Domain and Mueller projects that benefited developers while adding thousands of affordable units with levels set for people who fall at or below 80 percent of the MHI (Median Household Income). These livable, walkable communities would connect to public transit and be connected to major employers, downtown or other hubs.

  • Additional density bonus programs (ie., for 45 feet in height and 60 feet in height) to provide developers with development entitlements and efficient permit reviews in exchange for affordable housing and other community benefits. Such Density Bonus plans balance development flexibility for neighborhoods and developers alike.

  • Environmental development bonus programs in line with the Austin Climate Equity Plan and the city’s tree protection ordinance to provide developers with incentives for increased nature benefits.

  • Right-of-return protections would help residents facing displacement by new development, including lower-income people, seniors, artists, and musicians, obtain rents comparable to what they were paying.

  • Low or no-interest home financing programs for lower or working-income people, teachers, medical technicians, nurses, recent college graduates, and public safety employees, including some forgivable terms for members providing community benefits. The program would be a public-private partnership with various businesses, financial institutions, and employers.

  • Public partnerships with large landowners like the Austin Independent School District, Austin Community College, and Travis County to build affordable housing for teachers, first responders, musicians, artists, and students. 

  • Land trust initiatives for existing Austinites facing displacement pressures are similar to the Blackland Neighborhood Corp. or the Mueller Development model, which allows homeowners to build equity and wealth.

  • Small business incentives to help iconic or longtime businesses facing displacement stay within the city limits, including a community benefits package, tax credits, or special financing options.