Austin has become one of the country’s fastest-growing cities, creating new opportunities and intense pressure on housing affordability.

In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Katie speaks with Mike Gerber, CEO of the Austin Housing Authority, about the difficult work of expanding affordable housing while protecting residents, preserving community history, and rebuilding public trust.

Mike explains why affordable housing projects have become so complex, how Austin transformed historic developments such as Chalmers Courts and Rosewood Courts, and why residents must have a meaningful voice in redevelopment decisions. He also shares the Austin Housing Authority’s approach to relocation, including its commitment to protections, improvements, and resident choice.

The conversation explores Austin’s history of segregation, the possibility of another rent spike in 2027, digital inclusion, community partnerships, zoning reform, and the collective advocacy work happening through NAHRO.

Mike also explains why housing authorities must provide more than a physical home. Access to healthcare, transportation, education, technology, and employment support can determine whether residents truly have an opportunity to thrive.

Mike’s career has included work on Capitol Hill, leadership at HUD and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and more than a decade leading the Austin Housing Authority.

Learn more about Katie Goar and Quadel at Quadel.com.

Key Takeaways

• Affordable housing projects often require complicated funding structures and years of planning.
• Inconsistent regulations increase risk and make housing development more difficult.
• Austin’s rapid population growth has placed significant pressure on housing affordability.
• A slowdown in new construction could contribute to another rent increase in 2027.
• Successful redevelopment depends on earning trust from residents and surrounding communities.
• Residents need clear protections during relocation and redevelopment.
• Chalmers Courts grew from roughly 158 units to nearly 400 homes.
• Rosewood Courts combines historic preservation, affordable rental housing, homeownership, and community services.
• Digital access has become essential for education, healthcare, employment, and daily life.
• Partnerships allow housing authorities to provide services they couldn’t deliver alone.
• Industry associations help housing leaders share lessons and avoid expensive mistakes.
• Stable housing works best when residents also have access to healthcare, transportation, education, and employment support.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Mike Gerber’s path into affordable housing
04:34 What people misunderstand about affordable housing
06:57 Austin’s growth and affordability pressures
08:27 Austin’s history of housing segregation
10:19 Why Austin rents could rise again in 2027
11:24 Transforming Austin’s historic public housing
14:43 Rebuilding Chalmers Courts
16:51 Preserving the history of Rosewood Courts
18:36 Creating affordable homeownership opportunities
20:35 Building trust with the community
22:31 Explaining RAD to residents
24:04 Giving residents a voice in redevelopment
25:22 Protecting residents during relocation
28:39 Why gardens and community spaces matter
30:10 Housing work requires humanity
31:52 Austin’s digital inclusion program
35:29 What the pandemic revealed about digital access
37:23 How housing authorities can begin digital literacy programs
41:10 Why housing leaders must tell their stories
42:56 Housing Works Austin and local policy
43:53 Zoning reform and removing development barriers
45:28 Tracking affordable housing across Austin
47:10 Austin’s investment in housing
49:19 The value of NAHRO
51:09 Why housing leaders must work together
55:35 State and regional housing collaboration
57:57 Learning from other housing authorities
58:59 Partnerships that make housing programs possible
1:00:45 Final thoughts