East Austin activists urge city council to enact anti-displacement program

Civil rights leaders urged Austin City Council to enact an anti-displacement program before moving forward.

AUSTIN, Texas - Carrying the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, East Austin activists gathered called on city leaders to protect Austin’s under-served communities by delaying the adoption of the proposed land development code revisions.

Civil rights leaders urged Austin City Council to enact an anti-displacement program before moving forward.

"Thousands of low income and people of color have been displaced from East Austin and the land development code only looks at numbers...and it doesn't look at the human impact," said longtime activist Susana Almanza.

The group has advocated for vulnerable areas on the east side. Almanza worked with homeowners who reside at Comfort Park on East Riverside Drive. The small mobile home park is filled with Hispanic families who have lived on the land for more than ten years.

Notice of closure signs can be seen from the roadway; families have until October to leave the property. Over the past year, tenants have met with management to fight for compensation to help with their move.

Angel Ruedas said the owner has heard the families' concerns and has agreed to purchase land near the airport to help relocate homeowners and keep the neighborhood together.

"If you're going to move them out, help them, help them, don't just move them out, don't just throw them ou,t help them the best that you can," said Ruedas.

Almanza said it's a win but not all mobile home parks in Austin are just as lucky.

"They're mobile home owners but they don't own the land and so that's what makes the difference so what we've seen lately is that the mobile home parks are under siege," said Almanza.

East Austin activists said the anti-displacement program will help low-income families and families of color. The program is set to work in four parts: it will delay zoning changes, engage the community, establish an equitable development plan and fund a staff to address displacement.