Austin, TX
Municipality in Texas
United States
Austin, TX evaluates the impacts of Archistar's eCheck assessment tool on permit review times
City officials worked with Archistar on integrating eCheck into its building permit system for the pilot. Permit applicants uploaded their 2D and 3D files through an easy-to-use interface. eCheck uses artificial intelligence to compare building plans against Austin's land-use and zoning ordinances. In minutes, applicants receive compliance reports indicating which areas passed, failed, or lacked sufficient information for approval.
Austin, TX
United States
Austin, TX anticipates wildfire threats in its utility's service area with Pano AI technology
City-owned Austin Energy worked with the Austin Fire Department and neighboring counties to identify optimal camera locations. The Pano AI platform gathers and analyzes real-time video footage for early signs of wildfires in the region. Alerts are sent to the nearest fire station once wildfires are confirmed by fire experts. The system further expedites emergency responses by providing responding teams with exact wildfire locations.
Austin, TX
United States
Austin, TX makes sustainable transportation more affordable with its Electric Ride Rebate program
Customers of city-owned Austin Energy qualify for rebates on e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds. The minimum purchase price for a rebate is $500 with rebates ranging from $200 to $600 based on price range. Participants in the utility's Customer Assistance Program can apply for rebates of up to $1,300. Rebates are funded by portions of community benefit charges on utility accounts. The program requires applications within six months of purchase from one of the 26 approved vendors.
Austin, TX
United States
Austin, TX assists cost-burdened homeowners with Displacement Prevention Navigator Pilot Program
A one-year pilot sends trained navigators to targeted homes in the Colony Park and Dove Springs neighborhoods. Navigators learn about local housing and financial services before consulting with homeowners during outreach campaigns. Austin will pay each navigator $25 per hour for up to 15 hours per week through May 2024. The city's Housing Department advanced this pilot to prevent homeowners from facing housing insecurity due to financial struggles.
Austin, TX
United States
Austin, TX Warrant Amnesty initiative builds community trust in criminal justice system
The month-long program seeks resolution for city-issued citations and warrants for local traffic violations. Participants visiting the Municipal Court or Community Court can waive their warrant fees by starting payment plans, applying for hardship waivers, or participating in community service. Municipal judges and prosecutors are available to answer questions as they review each case. Austin's pre-pandemic warrant amnesties resolved 37,500 warrants and tickets over three years.
Austin, TX
United States
Austin, TX addresses the impacts of gentrification on home ownership with Community Land Trust
The Austin Community Land Trust (ACLT) offers 24 units at below-market prices to eligible buyers. Applicants earning 65% of the local median family income and living in gentrified census tracts entered into a lottery for purchasing opportunities. The pilot reduces the overall costs of home ownership by selling homes but leasing land at minimal costs for 99 years. City officials designed the ACLT pilot to expand affordable housing access in a tight housing market.
Austin, TX
United States
Austin, TX leverages cross-department expertise with Homeless Encampment Management Team
Local officials sought a centralized approach to managing encampments on public property. The HEMT divides departments into Leadership, Operations, Planning, and Policy sections based on staff knowledge. An online HEM tool supports encampment ratings for potential cleanups and closures by property-owning departments. This multi-department approach also identifies encampments for additional services through the Housing-focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) program.
Austin, TX
United States