Application period still open for Project Connect anti-displacement Community Advisory Committee

There is still time to apply to join the citizen committee that will advise the city of Austin, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Austin Transit Partnership on anti-displacement and equity matters related to Project Connect.

The city’s $7 billion investment in Project Connect included $300 million for anti-displacement measures that will go toward helping affordable areas in the city remain affordable to those who want to stay as new transit lines increase the cost of living. These initiatives are managed by the city’s Housing and Planning Department.

Applications opened Monday, Oct. 16, and will close Friday, Nov. 17. Community members living in the Austin area and the Capital Metro service area are able to apply. Once the application closes, the nominating committee will convene to review and ultimately make a recommendation for approval by the Capital Metro Board of Directors, the ATP Board of Directors and City Council. The first meeting is expected to be held in January.

The committee will include 11 members. Committee members must meet the following criteria:

a) Be residents of either the city of Austin or Capital Metro’s service area;
b) Not be a person who is registered or required to register as a lobbyist under City Code Chapter 4-8 or who is employed by a person registered or required to register under City Code Chapter 4-8.
c) Not be an employee of the city of Austin, Capital Metro or ATP;
d) Not have a contract for real property, goods or services with the city of Austin, Capital Metro or ATP or be employed by such a contractor; and,
e) Shall abide by the ATP Ethics, Conflicts and Nondisclosure Policy, as amended.

Candidates selected by the nominating committee will provide geographic representation as it relates to the proposed transit plan, as well as a diversity of viewpoints. Members are to be selected based on their use of transit to commute; applicant demographics including age, gender, race, housing status and income; as well as how their personal, professional or lived experience has contributed to meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness, mobility justice, the advancement of criminal justice reform, housing and land use policy, workforce and labor policy, connection to community organizations and increasing economic and other opportunities for underserved transit users.

City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes spoke to the Austin Monitor regarding the importance of a diverse applicant pool.

“I hope more diverse community voices and particularly everyday transit users apply for the ATP Community Advisory Committee,” she said. “This committee serves an important role in providing recommendations on transit related issues to ATP, Cap Metro and the city of Austin. We need more community voices having a say on our efforts to combat displacement and to ensure equitable transit services.”

Learn more about the process and candidate criteria and apply here.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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