Realty Austin Raises Awareness for Keep Austin Affordable

Local Brokerage Informs Voters of Critical Need To Vote For Affordable Housing Bonds on November Ballot

News provided by

Oct 23, 2013, 10:00 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Realty Austin, the second largest residential real estate firm in Austin, announced it has expanded its mission to support affordable housing in the Austin community even further. Through its ongoing support of Foundation Communities, Habitat for Humanity, and Keep Austin Affordable, the Realty Austin team works hard to make a meaningful impact on the lives of working families who cannot afford safe housing in Austin. Today Realty Austin is raising awareness about early voting for the Affordable Housing Bond on the November ballot.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130620/LA35820LOGO)

Jonathan Boatwright said, "It is critical that voters understand that the $65 million Affordable Housing Bond package will help local nonprofits continue to build and maintain safe and affordable homes and apartments for the next six years, without an increase in property tax rates. Our agents have the pleasure of helping thousands of Austinites realize the American dream of homeownership every year. Unfortunately, many people who serve our community cannot even afford to rent a safe home in the Austin area."

As members of the Keep Austin Affordable steering committee, Jonathan and Yvette Boatwright, co-owners of Realty Austin, joined forces with like-minded leaders from public, private and civil sectors to help inform Austin voters about the crucial need to pass the Affordable Housing Bond on November 5.

Yvette Boatwright said, "The time to act is now. We must help local nonprofits secure the capital needed to achieve positive outcomes for the greater good of our community. It is essential to the future of our city to help our neighbors who are trapped in this cycle. It is time we come together and pay it forward."

According to Keep Austin Affordable, Austin is one of the 10 most expensive rental markets in the US, and as a result, as many as 38,000 Austin-area families cannot find affordable housing. According to the Austin Independent School District, there are 2,017 homeless students who live in shelters, cars, motels or other temporary alternatives. Many of the area's service industry workers, child care providers, construction workers and even some public employees are literally being priced out of town.

Yvette Boatwright said, "The success of the $65 million Affordable Housing Bond proposal would increase local nonprofits' effectiveness by allowing them to spend less time fundraising and more time focusing on their core competencies helping over 38,000 families who live at or below poverty level."

Realty Austin is raising awareness about early voting for the Affordable Housing Bond, October 21st through November 1st, and election day on November 5, 2013.

About Realty Austin

Realty Austin is the fastest growing real estate company in Austin with over $1 Billion in sales in 2013, ranking as Austin's second highest producing agency in just eight short years. Realty Austin is headquartered in downtown Austin with satellite offices in Westlake, Northwest Austin, Southwest Austin and Lake Travis. Realty Austin's team consists of 200 full-time, high-producing agents who were hand-selected for their real estate experience, market knowledge and career accomplishments. Realty Austin is the most innovative and progressive real estate company in Austin, uniquely suited for its high tech, homegrown culture. For more information, visit realtyaustin.com or call 512.241.1300. Become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/realtyaustin.