Enhancing Austin's Housing Landscape: Proposed Land Development Code Changes

Posted on 04/26/24 by Jackie Gil

The Austin City Council will vote on crucial land development code modifications in May. These changes focus on bolstering housing development along the Project Connect rail lines and other transit corridors, and expanding opportunities for home ownership across Austin neighborhoods.

Speak Up Austin: Affordable, Liveable Communities

A City Evolved and Its Challenges

Austin's existing land development code dates back four decades and the city has since outgrown them. Today, Austin is the tenth largest city in the United States, with all the challenges accompanying urban growth, like housing and mobility.

  • Housing: The demand for housing far exceeds the available supply.
  • Mobility: Due to gentrification, traffic congestion, and development can drive people farther away.

AARP Texas Teams Up with City Leaders

City leaders are tackling the increasing demand for housing and mobility with several land development code amendments, which AARP supports the following two.

  • HOME Phase 2: Allowing smaller homes on smaller lots to address housing needs.
  • Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Overlay:  This overlay increases affordable housing potential along transit corridors, connecting more people to jobs, housing, schools, and parks.

On May 3, at 1 p.m. CT, AARP Texas staff, city of Austin leaders, and staff members are hosting a webinar to discuss the proposed changes in depth and answer your questions.

Register for the AARP Texas webinar on May 3 https://events.aarp.org/ATXHousing503.


Enedelia Obregon, Austin resident and AARP volunteer, shares her thoughts on how these two proposed code amendments could help her. Play the video below.

Speak Up Austin: Enedelia Obregon

    Letter from Mayor Pro Tem about Home & ETOD

    Learn more about all the proposed changes here, subscribe for key updates here, and learn more about transit-oriented developments and how it can transform how you live, work, and play.

    Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide

    Upcoming AARP Events

    View All AARP Events

    image of two AARP membership cards
    Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal
    • Immediate access to your member benefits
    • Discounts on travel and everyday savings
    • Subscription to AARP The Magazine
    • FREE second membership
    Join AARP
    Already a member? Renew or Print Card

    Contact AARP
    in Austin