Austin leaders directed more than $21 million in loan agreements to help finance five affordable housing developments. The funding includes $20.8 million from the city's 2022 housing bond and just over $1 million from a federal housing investment.

The details: The five projects will create 261 new housing units, with 248 reserved as affordable based on income. Developments receiving gap financing include:

• Jordan II, a 66-unit project in Mueller

• The Maven, an 83-unit project in Highland

• Rowen Vale, a 64-unit project in Travis Heights

• The Lenora, a 39-unit project in South Austin

• Austin Art Village, a nine-unit project in East Austin

A majority of the new units will be available to residents earning below 30%-50% of the median family income, or MFI, representing the deepest levels of affordability in city-sponsored housing developments.

Six events are happening in Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs in November:

• The 15th annual Austin Food & Wine Festival from Nov. 6-8 features national and local chefs, restaurants, spirits, wines, live demonstrations, tastings and hands-on grilling.
• Deck the PAWS on Nov. 7 is a family- and pet-friendly holiday fundraiser at Dripping Springs Distilling benefiting PAWS Shelter of Central Texas.
• The 8th annual Outside the City Limits Music Festival on Nov. 7 at Vista Brewing features local musicians across two stages and an artisan market.
• A workshop to craft Clay Incense Holders with Katie Ann Clay takes place on Nov. 9.
• The Family Campout at Dripping Springs Ranch Park from Nov. 13-14 includes activities such as Creepy Crawlers: Night at the Ranch and Drippin’ in the Dark Star Party.
• Creek Show from Nov. 13-21 transforms Waterloo Greenway into an immersive light show with 10 light-based installations from local artists.

The Highland Lakes Watershed could supply up to 21% less water during a severe drought than the Lower Colorado River Authority currently estimates, according to a new study released by the Central Texas Water Coalition that found less rainfall is reaching Lakes Travis and Buchanan despite relatively steady precipitation.

The background: Nine of the 10 years with the lowest amounts of water flowing into the Highland Lakes have occurred since 2006, while only three of the watershed's lowest rainfall years occurring in that same period, according to the study.

Although rainfall over the watershed has been steady for more than 100 years, the land is still sending less of each year's rain to Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis.

Read trending stories from the Austin area Oct. 19-23.

1. Hopdoddy Burger Bar announces opening date for Pflugerville location

2. Austin airport likely to see busy travel days surrounding Formula 1 Race

3. Monument Cafe opens beer garden and market in Georgetown

4. Major McCarty Lane developments gain opening timeline clarity

5. SH 71 update: Where 3 Bastrop County projects stand

6. New Chipotle location coming soon to Cedar Park