Proposition Q, a tax increase at a rate five cents higher per $100 property valuation than the current rate, will be on the City of Austin Special Election ballot on Nov. 4. The new money would be allocated for programs increasing housing affordability to reduce homelessness, improve parks and recreation facilities, enhance public health services and provide other general operational expenses included in the 2025-26 fiscal year budget.
If approved, the average homeowner’s property tax bill will increase by $302.14 annually, and Austin will generate roughly an estimated $110 million of additional revenue. While Travis County residents tend to be more liberal and have historically supported public services like parks, public transit and homeless housing, some residents have begun to feel that the government has not done enough to bring those changes to fruition.
Out of the $109.5 million, $12 million will be allotted for rapid rehousing services, $8 million for emergency shelter operations and services and the rest dispersed among other public service initiatives. If rejected, the city council has discussed proportional cuts across all city departments and budget revisits. Austin coalitions, such as “Care Not Cuts,” have said without the boost in revenue for the city, essential services — including public health services and the Austin fire department — are at risk of layoffs and budget cuts.
Around 43% of residents feel homelessness is one of Austin’s most important issues. Prop Q will more than double the budget of the Homeless Strategy Office, from $36 million to $75 million, which would go toward increasing housing intervention availability, like emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing.
“Proposition Q is probably one of the most important local elections we’ve had in Austin in a long time,” said Dash Kostka, music studies and government senior and campus field organizer for Love Austin, a political action committee supporting Prop Q. “Unfortunately, over the past year, Trump has cut about ($100) million from our city budget, and if this thing doesn’t pass, we won’t have the money to make up for those cuts.”
While Prop Q would increase tax rates for Austin residents, change will not come about without it. Homelessness is a pervasive issue that affects many Austin residents. Chronic homelessness causes financial hardship and strain on the rest of the community through hospitalizations, police intervention and incarceration. Moreover, homeless individuals currently lack the resources for basic hygiene and physical and mental care, resulting in community public health problems.
“With Prop Q, we can ensure our homeless shelters remain open, the Austin Sobering Center continues to operate, EMS response times improve, and our parks stay clean,” said Adit Raha, economics and Plan II sophomore and vice president of University Democrats. “It would also dedicate millions to the Austin Housing Trust Fund, making it easier for working families to afford to live in our city. If the federal government won’t support its people, it’s up to us to step up and take action to protect the health, safety, and affordability of our community.”
With less and less funding coming from the federal government, Prop Q is a necessary evil to provide the most good to our community. While the increase should be in tandem with cutting unnecessary city spending, voting in favor of Proposition Q will help increase affordable housing opportunities, reduce homelessness, improve parks and recreation programs and enhance public safety and health. As long as the city uses the funds according to their budget outline, the extra money is going toward creating a better, safer and healthier Austin for everyone to enjoy.
Gray is an anthropology, government and economics junior from Baytown, Texas.
