Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison

04/16/2026

Happy Thursday! Part 2 of my housing resource series is here, and it focuses on resources for aspiring and existing homeowners.

From down payment assistance to long-term affordability tools, this edition highlights resources that help families build and maintain stability and generational wealth.

Explore the full newsletter at the link in bio, and stay connected for what’s next!

04/14/2026

🚨Busy day ahead—today I’m convening a meeting of the Housing & Planning Committee where we’ll discuss updates to the Land Development Code, the future of Homestead Preservation Districts, and eviction prevention & tenant protections.

📺Tune in live at 1 PM on ATXN—watch via the link in bio.

04/14/2026

🚨Busy day ahead—today, I’m convening a meeting of the Housing & Planning Committee where we’ll discuss updates to the Land Development Code, the future of Homestead Preservation Districts, and eviction prevention & tenant protections.

📺Tune in live at 1 PM on ATXN—watch via the link in bio.

04/13/2026

📣 I’m excited to share updates from a pilot program at Austin Community Court—one I helped launch through a 2024 City Council resolution to reimagine how people access court services by bringing support closer to the community through trusted local partners.

By training outreach and case management staff on court navigation processes, partners now have an additional tool to support the people they serve throughout the community.

✅ Fourteen organizations participated, including several first-time City partners. Together they conducted nearly 700 court case checks, identified more than 250 cases, and connected dozens of individuals to Austin Community Court for services.

This is about meeting people where they are and improving service access through trusted relationships.

🔗 Read the full press release at the link in bio.

04/08/2026

🏡 It’s Fair Housing Month—a national period recognizing the importance of equal access to housing—and I’m launching a four-part housing resource series to share helpful information for Austinites navigating today’s housing landscape.
 
Whether you’re renting, working toward homeownership, developing affordable housing, or looking for ways to stabilize monthly expenses, there may be city, state, or nonprofit programs available to support you.
 
This first installment focuses on tools and resources to help tenants manage the rising cost of housing. Future issues will cover homeownership, affordable housing development, and assistance programs.
 
🔗 Explore the full newsletter and sign up to receive future installments at the link in my bio!

03/26/2026

Thank you to my colleagues — Council Members Fuentes, Velásquez, Vela, and Laine — for co-sponsoring my Strong Local Commerce Initiative resolution. Today, the item passed the Council vote!

Over the next 90 days, the City Manager and staff will help us to develop actionable plans and allocate resources to help springboard the micro-entrepreneurship and neighborhood-level businesses that make our communities more connected, walkable, and vibrant.

03/25/2026

Tomorrow, I will be joined by my co-sponsors, Council Members Fuentes, Velasquez, Vela, and Laine, to pass a resolution launching the Strong Local Commerce (SLC) Initiative—an effort to help neighbors turn ideas into income, and everyday places into spaces of opportunity.
 
Many Austinites operating small-scale businesses work from home and are unable to rent commercial spaces. At the same time, many residents could benefit from earning additional income and having locally sourced products and services within walking distance of where they live.
 
At its core, the SLC Initiative is about wealth-building and walkability. It will create a framework to support small-scale entrepreneurship, strengthen neighborhood economies, enhance walkability, and make our streets safer and more active.
 
This proposal is NOT a rezoning.

The initiative allows for accessory commercial units and front yard businesses—small-scale accessory uses that operate within existing residential properties and rules, not a change to zoning or neighborhood character.
 
New state laws have expanded opportunities, but many entrepreneurs are still forced to operate out of sight. In Austin, we can do better than a hidden economy.

Instead of settling for unregulated, hidden activity, the SLC Initiative establishes a system for professional impact management.
 
Our goal is to create a clear, regulated pathway that ensures these small storefronts add to the beauty and walkability of our streets, not detract from them.

03/17/2026

ICYMI  👀 Last week on Council, we celebrated some meaningful wins for District 1 and our neighbors:
 
🎭 The Vortex – A cornerstone of East Austin’s creative scene, the Vortex is slated to receive a Place Based Enhancement Cultural Preservation incentive that will help it to remain in place and continue creating opportunities for artists and community members to perform and gather for years to come.
 
💼 Summer youth jobs – We passed a resolution to better coordinate City of Austin and Travis County programs, expand employer participation, and increase access to meaningful work opportunities. These jobs give area youth a chance to learn new skills, earn a paycheck, and build their future right here at home.
 
🫀 Long Covid Awareness Day – I stood with Council to recognize those living with Long Covid, raising awareness about the virus’s impact on our communities and amplifying important stories and opportunities to support those affected.
 
🌿 Deborah Duncan – Surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues, Deborah was honored with a Distinguished Service Award, presented by the City Manager and Assistant City Manager Hayden-Howard. After 35 years of dedication to Austin Public Health, her leadership and care have left a lasting mark on our community, and we’re thrilled to celebrate her remarkable service.
 
District 1 is about people, culture, and opportunity—and last week’s actions show what we can achieve when we invest in our community.

03/07/2026

Digital literacy is a foundation for opportunity — connecting people to jobs, services, education, and civic life.

Grateful to join neighbors, my fellow Eastside Council offices, and community partners for the Digital Equity Listening Session & Community Resource Fair.

Thank you to the Austin Technology Commission and the local organizations who also helped to convene this important conversation, share resources, and engage directly with residents.

I look forward to continuing to support efforts that center the community’s voice and its needs.

03/03/2026

Blurry photo. Clear message.

The future won’t focus itself — you have to vote for it. 🗳️

Polls are open today in Austin until 7pm.
Stop by City Hall or check the link in our bio to find where you vote.

03/03/2026

03/03/2026

Proud to stand alongside community partners to highlight the impact of the Terrace at Oak Springs Food Pantry and raise awareness about food security across Austin.

Built to provide stable housing and wraparound services, the Terrace reflects what community-centered support can look like. By bringing nutritious food directly on site, this pantry helps remove barriers and strengthen health and stability.

Grateful to the partners and organizers who make this work possible.

Because when all of us are well, we are all better.