The City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office would like public input on how to spend federal and local funds to create and maintain affordable housing.  Austin voters approved $55 million in General Obligation Bonds for affordable housing in 2006. About 24% of that amount remains for future projects.  The City seeks input on community priorities for these remaining funds as well as other funds available through Austin Affordable Housing Finance Programs.

 

There are three opportunities for public input:

 

For more information, visit the NHCD website. 

 

 

 

Windows to Wellness, a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference, will be held in Austin January 7th - 9th at the Omni Southpark Hotel. Speakers include innovative national and state leaders in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation.  The Texas Chapter of the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association is presenting the conference. Learn more at www.uspratexas.org.  

Access to basic banking services is a critical first-step in achieving financial self-sufficiency.  The Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation (FDIC) recently released the most comprehensive survey to date of unbanked and underbanked households in the U.S.  The survey found that one in four households in the nation and one in three in Texas are either unbanked or underbanked.  Click here to review the survey results.  Click on the graph below for a link to Texas results.  As the graph from the report below shows, discrepancies were even more pronounced for racial and ethnic minorities.  Click on the graph for a link to the Texas results.

The Austin ISD Strategic Plan for 2010-2015 was approved by the Board of Trustees on Monday.  This document will guide the District's educational philosophy, aspirations for student achievement, fiscal decision-making, and operational focus for the next five years.  More information about AISD's newly approved Strategic Plan can be found on the District website http://www.austinisd.org/inside/initiatives/strategic_plan/.

The Strategic Plan will help guide funding decisions for next year's budget, but the Board of Trustees would also like citizen input on how to deal with a projected budget shortfall of $15 million.  The seven-question AISD budget survey can be found on-line at: www.austinisd.org/inside/budget/survey.phtml

Working to improve student achievement by stabilizing families is the goal of five new Family Resource Centers being developed by the Austin School District and community partners at high-needs schools.  The center at Reagan High School is now open; the center at Pearce Middle School is scheduled to open in January 2010; and centers at Dobie, Martin, and Mendez Middle Schools will open in fall 2010. Families of students can find help with housing, employment, access to healthcare, education and social/family connections.  The Family Resource Centers are being developed by AISD in partnership with The Austin Project, Austin Voices, the St. John Community School Alliance, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services and others.

• Take the Issues and Aspirations survey at any Austin library or on-line at www.imagineaustin.net/survey.htm.
•  Host a 'planning party.'  The Imagine Austin Meeting-in-a-Box has everything needed to host a meeting.  Find it online at www.imagineaustin.net/getmeeting.htm.

The deadline for providing input for this phase of Imagine Austin is January 29th.

Austin Connects, a partnership between the City of Austin, Austin Free-Net and Skillpoint Alliance, will host the Community Technology Symposium on January 12th to educate and share information.  The summit will convene local government, nonprofits, education institutions, corporations, and citizens to build a cooperative plan to provide everyone full access and participation in Austin's emerging digital society.
 
The event will feature speakers on a variety of topics, including defining community technology, ascertaining the city's technology needs, workforce development in the digital age, and funding opportunities.  Microsoft is the Symposium's Primary Sponsor and will also host the event at their North Mopac offices.  Registration is $25 and includes lunch.  To learn more about Austin Connects and the Community Technology Symposium and to register, visit the Austin Connects website.

Community Action Network is a collaboration of organizations and individuals in Central Texas who are working together to build a community of equity and opportunity.

CAN's role in the community is to ...

• Enhance awareness of community issues;
• Strengthen partnerships and connect planning efforts;
• Support collaborative strategies that maximize community resources and impact; and
• Mobilize action by reporting on progress made to improve the community's well-being.

CAN Partners:  Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Austin Chamber, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School District, Austin Travis County Integral Care, Capital Metro, City of Austin, Community Justice Council,  One Voice Central Texas, Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Community Health Foundation, St. Edward's University, Travis County, Central Health, United Way Capital Area, University of Texas at Austin, and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area.