“The Bailey at Berkman”; 6405 Berkman Drive

At the February 10th WPNA General Meeting, representatives from National Community Renaissance (CORE) and Structure Design presented information about the project and the impacts on our neighborhood.  The floor was open for discussion on the topic. Below is a link to the recording of that meeting, and the presentation begins at approximately 24 minutes and 40 seconds into the meeting:

YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW THE VIDEO IF YOU DID NOT ATTEND THE MEETING.

Recording on the WPNA website (Go to minute 24:40) 

Recording on Facebook (direct link to the start of the presentation) 

The Project

The developer, Structure Designs, is making an application for 2024 9% Housing Tax Credit Funds with the Texas  Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the proposed development “Bailey at Berkman”, located at 6405 Berkman Dr Austin, TX. The Co-Developer National Community Renaissance (CORE), a nonprofit  affordable housing developer, may be entitled to a tax exemption. If granted, they will seek the  permitted 50% property tax exemption.

This New Construction development is a Supportive Housing apartment community.  It will provide 104 efficiency housing units of supportive housing. The distribution of the units will be approximately 21 units for people earning 30% of Median Family Income (MFI); 63 units up to 50% of MFI; and 20 units up to 60% of MFI. The affordability period will range from 30 – 45 years. 

After the construction, the Hope through Housing Foundation would be engaged in providing onsite support and services to the residents. 

In addition to the above, here are some questions and answers provided by the developer about the project:  https://www.windsorpark.info/wp-content/uploads/Winsdor-Park-Neighborhood-FAQ.pdf

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Development is distributing a federal grant by region. Three Competitive Housing Tax Credits,  totaling $5 million, will be awarded in 2024 in Region 7.  Twelve different applications have been submitted including this project # 24019 Bailey at Berkman, 6405 Berkman.

LEARN MORE

The Windsor Park Neighborhood Contact Team will be addressing a piece of this issue at their upcoming meeting on Monday February 12th at 6:30 PM.   All are welcome to join the discussion via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84521918109

Structure Design (the developer) will be hosting a question and answer session on Thursday February 12th from 6 pm to 8 pm or Saturday February 17th from 9 am to 11 am at Hanks Cafe if you would like to meet and discuss issues and ask questions.

Our Decision

As a neighborhood organization we can provide comments on Competitive Housing Tax Credit applications in support of or in opposition to the developer getting the tax credit to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Development.  The 2024 Quantifiable Community Participation  (QCP) input is tallied by a point system of which our input is one component. A letter of support or opposition from WPNA  is due by Mar. 1, 2024.

• If the neighborhood association writes a letter in opposition to the developer receiving the tax credit it is highly likely that the development will not move forward.
• If the neighborhood association writes a letter in support of the developer receiving the tax credit it will increase the chance that they would get approval for the tax credit.
• If the neighborhood association takes no action then it will neither improve nor reduce the chances of the developer getting the tax credit.

Even with the tax credit, there are many other hurdles the the developer will have to overcome in order to proceed with the development.