affordable Housing

AISD campus transforms into affordable housing for teachers

Affordable housing is top of mind for many Austinites, but especially for educators working in our local schools. Now, a former AISD elementary campus is being transformed into housing — with some units set aside specifically for teachers. Acacia Coronado from the Austin Current takes a closer look at the East Austin project.


Brown water is flowing from the taps in one Austin-area suburb. We’ll hear what residents say they wish they knew before moving in, and how they’re working to warn others.


We’ve had a very warm spring this year and we’re not even close to the peak of summer temperatures. The heat isn’t unusual, but it’s arriving at a time when Austin’s energy utility has sharply increased shutoffs for nonpayment.

Back in 1928, a city plan excluded Black residents from certain parts of Austin–including the city’s first public park, Pease Park. One group is working to reclaim that history and reshape the narrative. We’ll talk to the founders of the RISE Project on today’s show.

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Travis Heights housing project scale draws some concerns

An affordable housing complex planned for the Travis Heights neighborhood is one step closer to becoming a reality. Neighbors around the proposed site say they aren’t opposed to the idea – more so the scale of it. We’ll hear more about the complex and the neighborhood it could be built in.

The Austin Independent School District is looking to save money and exit some contracts for schools that are slated to close. We’ll dig into how much money they’re looking to save, and how they could do it.

We’ll also hear the story of Dr. James Polk – not the president, but the Austin music legend.

And with the Olympics in full swing, we’ll tell you about an opportunity to get in on the action yourself.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 21, 2025: CapMetro approves sweeping plan to reshape Austin’s public transit network

Central Texas top stories for October 21, 2025. CapMetro approved a plan to reshape Austin’s public transit network, but not everyone is on board. Monday was the deadline for universities to submit comments to the White House on a funding compact. It’s unclear if UT Austin will sign the document. Neighbors complain about AISD’s new plan to turn former Rosedale School into a six-story apartment complex. Liberty Hill ISD is asking voters to approve a tax rate increase. The Austin area is under disaster declaration due to elevated fire risk.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2025: A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case records. A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals. Austin severs ties with a nonprofit that runs two downtown homeless shelters. ACC has a new partnership to help students find affordable housing. Leander ISD is considering closing some schools amid a budget deficit. Austin FC beat Minnesota last night, they move to advance to the U.S. Open Cup Final.

Some Texas counties switch to paper ballots ahead of midterms

No more QR or barcodes: Why Collin, Williamson and Bastrop counties are changing the way voters will cast ballots.
Housing affordability is a big issue in Texas, and three new state laws aim to address it. Will they work?
Many are concerned new Texas congressional maps dilute the voting power of Texans of color. But others welcome the changes.
Inside an ICE job recruitment fair in Arlington.
And: the bigger meaning behind the season’s first high school football game in Kerrville.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

KUT Morning Newscast for July 3, 2025: A report from Zillow says Austin is the most affordable city for renters

Central Texas top stories for July 3, 2025. The Austin Independent School District is holding workshops to get feedback on its campus consolidation process. Zillow recently named Austin the most affordable major city for renters. The city of Manor doesn’t have its own emergency room or hospital, but that’s set to change soon. Some City of Austin offices and facilities will be closed tomorrow for the July 4th holiday.  

‘Mistaco’ teaches kids how tacos can make everything better

Houston’s affordable housing project has winners and losers – and the winners are not the renters. Digging into a new investigation from the Houston Chronicle.
Changes in funding for refugee resettlement programs have nonprofits scrambling to figure out how to continue to help.
Matthew McConaughey and industry reps push for Texas lawmakers to beef up the state’s film incentive fund.
Texas topped TCU in the women’s NCAA tournament to reach the Final Four. What to expect from the Longhorns.
Plus: A new children’s book by Texan Eliza Kinkz explores how tacos can make everything better.

KUT Morning Newscast for March 17, 2025: The Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg has burned 9,500 acres.

Central Texas top stories for March 17, 2025. The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg is 55% contained and has burned 9,500 acres. A new report from local public hospital district, Central Health, shows poverty is spreading to new areas of Travis County. A new report from a national housing organization finds Austin has few homes affordable to people earning very low incomes. Sixth Street reopens to vehicle traffic today. UT women’s basketball team earned a number one seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament.

KUT Morning Newscast for January 31, 2025

Central Texas top stories for January 31, 2025.  The City of Austin will look into changing the way it responds to mental health emergencies. The Mexican Consul General says at least 39 people from Mexico who are in the U.S. without legal status were detained in the Austin area over the last week. $42 million were approved for more affordable housing in Austin.

How one woman is helping revitalize Matagorda Bay

State lawmakers want to tackle the rising cost of renting or owning a home in Texas.

Why more white-collar office workers are facing long-term unemployment.

Diane Wilson waged a legal war against the company that was polluting a stretch of Gulf Coast and won. Now the shrimper is using the settlement money to help her fishing community.

Plus: Talking with the co-authors of a new book about Bill Hobby’s life in journalism and public service.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 27, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 27, 2024. The Central Texas Food Bank has been gathering and distributing food for families in need for Thanksgiving. The City of Austin has opened a new affordable housing development. ACC is expanding in Round Rock. It’s the last day on the job for Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 24, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 24, 2024. Travis County’s budget for next year includes a new law enforcement department, it is set to be approved today. The City of Austin and the Austin Police Association have reached a tentative contract agreement that includes a 28% pay increase. The Austin Independent School District is moving forward with an effort to build housing. The FDA is re-launching a program for people to order free COVID-19 tests. 

KUT Morning Newscast for September 13, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 13, 2024. A larger percentage of Austin renters are living in housing they can’t afford, according to new Census data. Travis County staff are making sure ballots are accurate and voting equipment is working properly for the November election, they are encouraging residents to come see the process for themselves. Hays County voters will decide on a major bond for road improvements this November. Starting in March, British Airways will fly from Austin to London Heathrow twice a day. The Austin based theater group Proyecto Teatro got selected to be part of the Encuentro 2024 festival in Los Angeles.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 26, 2024

Central Texas top stories for July 26, 2024. Police, fire and EMS make up a majority of the City of Austin’s proposed budget. Affordable housing in East Austin will feature solar powered homes. West Nile virus is cropping up again in the Austin area. The Texas Historical Commission has voted to designate UT’s School of Social Work a State Antiquities Landmark. MoveOutATX. Austinites at the Olympics.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 23, 2024

Central Texas top stories for July 23, 2024. Today Austinites will get to meet the two finalists in the running to be Austin’s next police chief. Travis County Commissioners are about to put two new members on a board that manages affordable housing in the area. Capital Metro will continue to do business with the company that provides on-demand transit services MetroAccess and Pickup. The Austin Independent School District is heading into the new school year with a 78-million-dollar budget deficit, but that could change.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 11, 2024

Central Texas top stories for April 11, 2024. Austin Public Health retired COVID-19 dashboard. Austin leaders hear from public about proposed code changes intended to improve housing affordability. High passenger traffic at Austin airport starting to ease up a bit. UT Austin student DEI opponents misunderstand its goals. San Marcos raising parking fines.