FYI. :)
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Ann Kitchen, District 5" <district5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Property Tax Exemptions, Rent Relief, and the American Rescue Plan
Act
Date: June 11, 2021 at 5:55:49 PM CDT
To: nelly.ramirez@xxxxxx
Reply-To: district5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Council Member Ann Kitchen
District 5, Austin, Texas
June 11, 2021
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Property Tax Exemptions, Rent Relief, and the American Rescue Plan Funding
Framework
Dear Neighbors,
I want to provide you with a quick update on some recent actions Council has
taken.
Tax Relief for Homeowners and Seniors
Yesterday, City Council unanimously approved increasing Austin's homestead
exemption to 20%, the maximum allowed by state law. In addition to this
property tax relief, last week the Council raised the senior homestead
exemption by $25,000, bringing the total senior exemption alone to $113,000.
Rent Relief
Yesterday, Council also approved an additional $42 million of rent relief to
Austinites. You can learn more about the City's RENT program, including how
to apply for rental assistance, by visiting https://austintexas.gov/rent ;
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These are important steps in addressing the affordability crisis facing many
Austinites and Council must continue to utilize every tool available to us as
our community continues to recover economically.
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding Framework
Council approved a spending framework
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for the federal funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The funds will help address homelessness, workforce needs, and COVID-19, as
well as several other priorities including rent relief, childcare, food
access, and financial support to arts and music.
The Council unanimously committed a $106.7 million generational investment in
housing our neighbors - contingent on the transparency, accountability and
community involvement that are necessary to put the City on the best path to
success.
As I have said in the past - I think it is time for the community to come
together to address homelessness in a systemic way that:
Accelerates housing + services response,
Increases efficiencies by emphasizing coordinated efforts,
Fills in workforce and housing infrastructure gaps that are causing system
breakdowns,
Instills accountability for results and regularly tracks progress, and
Puts us on the path of a rehousing vision that achieves functional zero for
homelessness.
In approving the Funding Framework, the Council gave clear direction to the
City Manager for transparency and oversight. I collaborated with CM Tovo on a
set of directions that set specific requirements for due diligence before
expending any funds
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The Council adopted direction that recognizes that addressing homelessness
requires the entire community and states the city’s spending commitment is
contingent on matching funding from our other partners (such as Travis County
and the private philanthropic community).
Among other actions, Council directed staff to:
Identify all other available sources of funding and intend to review and
revise the framework if necessary.
Present a detailed breakdown of existing city investments and the expected
number of people served, as well as current service contract dates and
funding sources.
Return with a detailed funding plan by July 1st. The plan will include
accountability measures such as describing new or expanded programs and the
expected number of people to be served in each category/program and the
assumptions those numbers are based on.
Provide a publicly available process and timeline for measuring and reporting
results.
I also want ensure that we are identifying and maximizing all available
funding, which is why I included direction to explore (with Medicaid,
Medicare, and Medical Assistance Program (MAP) payors, including Integral
Care, Central Health, Sendero Health Plans and managed care organizations)
the opportunities for reimbursement of:
Health and mental health services, including substance use disorder services
and social services,
Housing services related to the social determinants of health such as crisis
shelter, rapid exit programs, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing
or other housing, and
Other services related to social determinants of health which affect unhoused
persons.
My direction also instructed staff to explore opportunities for collaboration
on investing in infrastructure for these and related services.
I know there is a lot of information here, and my office will continue to be
a resource for you. We are here to assist with any questions or issues you
have. You can call us at 512-978-2105 or email us at
District5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:District5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>.
Best Regards,
Ann Kitchen
City Council, District 5
CONTACT US
512-978-2105
City Council Member Ann Kitchen - District5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:District5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Constituent Liaison - Dora.Anguiano@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Dora.Anguiano@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Policy Advisor - Jason.Lopez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Jason.Lopez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sr Policy Advisor - Ken.Craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Ken.Craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Chief of Staff - Donna.Tiemann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Donna.Tiemann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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