From 2016 to 2018, I reported on housing, education, and environmental issues for the Austin Chronicle. I published feature stories on the affordability crisis, political protests, and a cover story on the after effects of gentrification. My work has been cited in online articles and books.
Below are some highlights from my 48 published articles for the Chronicle. You can find my complete archives here.
Life After Gentrification
Sitting at a small table inside her cramped camper, Carolina Sanchez called for her son to take their dog outside. He held the puppy in his arms as he opened the door, then walked down the steps of the recreation vehicle into the narrow strip of trailer park set up alongside the Chevron on Highway 71 in Del Valle. Aside from the two dozen other mobile homes, gas pumps, a convenience store, and the traffic on the highway, there’s not much else to see.
Whose Affordability Crisis?
The definition of “affordable housing” depends on who’s looking at the problem.
If you’re an urban planner, affordable housing is a key ingredient of a healthy, vibrant city. Planners want to arrange a housing stock that serves a diversity of people. That’s mathematical: housing payments costing less than 30% of the city’s median family income (in Austin, that’s $81,400 for a family of two or more). Doing so, they say, is what creates diversity in housing, and fosters Austin’s ideal as an inclusive, progressive city.
Austin Energy’s New Low-Income Solar Deal
Following last week’s feature story on Austin Energy’s solar rebate program, utility staff announced plans to meet with City Council members this week to propose a special rate for low-income households who subscribe to AE’s new community solar project.
Austin Shelters Brace for Harvey’s Second Flood
Tropical Storm Harvey continues to dump rain on Texas. On Monday, during a brief respite here in Austin, the storm curved up along the Gulf Coast toward Louisiana – though it’s likely to return to Central Texas by Wednesday.
JW Caterine 