Housing

Starbase is figuring out how to become a city. In doing so, city leaders are proposing new land-use rules.

The City of Austin agreed to pay Housing Connector $2.14 million over two years. The company currently operates in at least three other cities, including Dallas, Denver and Portland, Oregon.

The school board unanimously approved a partnership with developer Upward Communities to build 300 single-family homes offered to staff at rent below the market rate.

This week will look a little different from the first cold blast Austin saw this year. Temperatures will stay colder for longer and will dip below freezing every night this week.

The increase comes after voters approved several propositions at the ballot box in November, all of which will be paid for by raising property tax rates.

In addition to the donation, H-E-B has announced new stores planned in East Austin, with a Manor store slated to open next year.

Applications to the city’s rental assistance program have been closed since February. Council members voted this summer to reup the program with about $3.6 million in funding.

Council members voted Thursday on a resolution requiring landlords to divulge monthly and one-time fees. Council is expected to finalize the new rule next summer.

Since 2020, the number of people under 25 years old without permanent housing and not under the care of a parent or legal guardian has nearly quadrupled, according to a nonprofit that tracks this issue.

The city will start using artificial intelligence to assess applications for new homes next year. The council approved a multimillion-dollar contract over the summer.