The City of Austin is actively pursuing a federal grant of up to $7 million through the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) Grant program aimed at combating the affordable housing crisis. The funding will be allocated to develop, evaluate, and implement housing policy plans while also addressing regulatory barriers that hinder affordable housing production. Mandy DeMayo, Interim Director of the Housing Department, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that the current production of affordable housing is falling short of demand. The city is seeking public feedback on the proposed activities, which include updating the Strategic Housing Blueprint and investing in affordable housing developments near planned light rail stations. The application deadline for this grant is set for October 15, 2024.

Austin previously applied for the grant in 2023 but was not selected, making this opportunity particularly significant. The HUD's PRO Housing Grant program aims to empower communities to identify and eliminate obstacles to affordable housing. The city encourages residents to share their insights to guide the effective use of these federal funds.