ATX-NCA: Impact 10/15/2025

Austin ISD is one step closer to building affordable housing for its staff and community members in East Austin.

What's happening: At an Oct. 7 meeting, the AISD Public Facility Corporation approved construction of the first of two income-restricted apartment buildings near East Seventh Street and Airport Boulevard. Developers are expected to break ground on the 341-unit East apartment building in December for a projected completion date of 2028, said Nick Walsh, vice president of development for The NRP Group.

Notable quote: "We are shovel-ready," Walsh said. "We are about one and a half months out from putting our shovels in the ground on the first phase."

The big picture: AISD will build a 675-unit affordable housing community and a new Alternative Learning Center at an 18-acre site in East Austin. About half of the units will be income-restricted at 60% or 80% of the area median income, or AMI.

The developer will give priority to leasing units to AISD teachers and staff when they become available in 2028, according to district information.

The Austin and Travis County homelessness response system is growing more efficient and seeing fewer people needing services than in the past few years, according to new reporting from the regional system's coordinator.

The details: Top takeaways from the report include a drop in the number of first-time homeless clients accessing services, a jump in available shelter beds and housing units, and reduced wait times for people seeking housing. Still, local officials said further investments must be made to meet the needs of a growing population and cautioned that wide disparities remain in the system.

Quote of note: "We're not where we want to be yet, although we are celebrating progress today. But the clear evidence is that what we’re doing and the investments we're making are having a positive impact," Mayor Kirk Watson said at the report's presentation Oct. 8.

Stay up to date with the latest North Austin business news—a collection of newly opened, coming soon, relocations and closings.

Now Open: Rocco’s Neighborhood Joint
Restaurateur Wade McElroy and chef Nicholas Ford have opened Rocco’s Neighborhood Joint on Airport Boulevard, a cozy Italian eatery inspired by classic Northeast neighborhood spots. Open Wednesday through Sunday evenings, the restaurant serves antipasto, salads, pastas, and Italian-only wines on a walk-in basis. Group reservations are also available upon request.

• 5001 Airport Blvd., Austin

• 7858 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin

CapMetro has hired RenEarl Bowie as its new transit police chief, the agency announced Oct. 10. Bowie, who brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, will lead the agency’s 14-member Transit Police Department.

The overview: Bowie joined CapMetro earlier this year as a police captain. 

"I deeply believe in our mission," he said in a statement. "I am truly honored to now lead this dedicated team as we continue building relationships with out community and ensuring safety." 

His appointment follows the departure of the department’s first chief, Eric Robins, who left shortly after the agency began initial patrols this summer.

Some context: CapMetro’s transit police operate alongside public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists as part of the agency’s three-part safety strategy launched in 2021. The ambassadors handle nonviolent issues such as welfare checks, vandalism and loitering, while social workers help connect people to housing, food and health care. Officers are trained in crisis intervention and community-oriented policing.