Development
BY KAMERYN GRIESSER
Bee Cave City Council issued an open call for developers at a Feb. 27 meeting to submit proposals for the city’s first income- restricted, multifamily housing project on the 22-acre, city-owned tract of land along the south side of Bee Cave Parkway and west of Skaggs Drive. The city’s request for development proposals outlines affordability goals for prospective private developers—one being that 50% or more of the units must be restricted to households earning 80% or less of the median family income. “We’re really doing something to alleviate stress on our local businesses, on our first responders, our hospital workers and our teachers,” Mayor Kara King said at the meeting. Bee Cave begins workforce housing search
By the numbers
There is a “critical need” for housing for essen- tial workers such as teachers, according to the city. More than half of Lake Travis ISD staff live outside the district’s boundaries and some make 30-45 minute commutes, according to the district. The median rent for a three bedroom apart- ment in Bee Cave is $2,840, which would require
a household to earn approximately $140,000 annually, according to the city. Texas custodial, retail and service workers earn less than $42,000 per year on average, according to March data from Indeed. Austin-Travis County EMS salaries start from about $48,048 and LTISD teacher salaries start from $56,000.
Adjusted income limits by household size
In Travis County, the median family income is $122,300. The new project must reserve at least 50% of units for households earning 80% or less of the MFI.
Household size
30% MFI
50% MFI
80% MFI
1 person 2 person 3 person
$24,550
$40,900
$65,450
$28,050
$46,750
$74,800
$31,550
$52,600
$84,150
4 person
$35,050
$58,400
$93,450
SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What’s Next?
type of rental assistance or relying upon the government,” Gormley said. Project residents cannot be selected based on their job, but the city plans to work with the developer to aim marketing tactics towards Bee Cave workers specifically. The city will create an internal review committee to select a development plan by the end of June, a city spokesperson said.
While housing affordability has been a priority of city leaders for many years, Economic Development Board President Quinn Gormley said he anticipates resident concerns about increased traffic to the area and misconceptions around workforce housing. “We’re extremely sensitive to the community’s concerns. ... What we’re talking about doing is creating an income-based qualification, so the tenant isn’t receiving any
HOUSING PROJECT SITE
SKAGGS DR.
71
N
25
LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION
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