Affordable Housing Assessment for Bastrop County, TX

Abstract

The focus of the assessment is affordable housing within the County, as well as tools to encourage more affordable housing options. Similar comprehensive housing studies have been conducted in the County, but were limited to the City of Bastrop and focused on the housing market as a whole. The two studies completed were a comprehensive housing study, conducted by Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, and a multi-family feasibility report, prepared by Capitol Market Research. The objective for the housing assessment is to conduct an affordable housing supply and demand analysis based on expected population trends. This assessment recommends areas for where affordable housing should be encouraged based on a Geographic Information System (GIS) suitability analysis. Parcel-level data was used to highlight potential sites for affordable housing in the three major cities of the County: City of Bastrop, City of Smithville, and the City of Elgin. In addition, this assessment describes housing programs well suited for the area that focuses on non-governmental programs, which provides funds for nonprofit organizations. The primary data and information source that we used to conduct this study include the following: 1) Population trends and demographic characteristics from the U.S. Bureau of the Census 2010 decennial survey, 2014 American Community Survey (ACS), Esri’s Business Analyst Online, Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, Texas Water Development Board, and Texas State Data Center 2) Social and economic characteristics from 2014 American Community Survey (ACS), and Esri’s Business Analyst Online 3) Housing market characteristics, including rental and ownership data, from U.S. Bureau of the Census 2010 decennial survey and 2014 American Community Survey (ACS) 4) Geographic Information System data from the U.S Census Bureau, Texas Natural Resource Information System, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)