We live on a planet of abundance. There are more than enough resources for every single person to live in luxury. Yet, our market driven model idolizes a scarcity perspective, and this dangerously perpetuates extraction and exclusion. We must acknowledge this truth if we are going to move forward effectively.
Our housing plan focuses on these key issues:
Asserting it is the People’s Right to Develop, for the long-term, multi-generational vitality-maximization for all people
Developers do not have prior right to unilaterally determine what to build, especially in urban setting geologically assigned for mass populations
ALL housing must be built with ecologically sustainable materials and methods, must be net-zero, carbon-sequestering, rain-water capturing, efficient water cycling, human biofield optimizing, green space incorporated, natural air flow enabling; This addresses affordability and resiliency at the root cause, since we can inherently eliminate the need for utility and maintenance costs, and overcome the industry trap of planned obsolescence.
There are two main types of housing we should be developing: Dense Vertical and Single Family Neighborhoods; Both must accommodate all income levels, without sacrificing quality or dignity based on that metric. One solution is to offer 1/3 of units for traditional purchase, 1/3 to a Build-To-Own/Sweat-Equity/Cooperative Construction/People’s Housing model, and 1/3 dedicated to Profit-Sharing Ventures, like Short Terms Rentals (AustinBnB/People’s Hotel), commercial space rentals, and Innovation Labs geared at providing materials and technology access for residents to explore entrepreneurial ventures to be profit shared with developers and equity contributors.
This plan includes 1st option Right to Return for All Indigenous people with roots to this broader region, as well as families displaced by oppressive policies across the past centuries.
Mass Transit Solutions, Urban Rail on every major street, autonomous busses and shuttles, dedicated bike/scooter lanes, fully protected and uninhibited pedestrians roadways, and the most accelerated method of project completion (end contractor inefficiencies and bid-corruption)
We must work on ALL new developments with the goal of maximizing freedom and resiliency, which means we must change the investment model to eliminate the costs of housing for people, while providing economic opportunity for residents to maximize their innovative and entrepreneurial potential.
The problem now in our housing is obviously that we build unsustainable and weak units with high maintenance and utility costs, which increase our energy demand, poison our ecology, and cause residents to pay rent or mortgage and taxes, which is a fundamentally extractive and fragile model, also a limited and scarce model which is burdened by a profit ceiling.
When we change this model to what I have proposed, we are investing in the quality of life for all residents, investing in their dignity and freedom to live their purpose, not to be burdened by bills. When we provide these opportunities and the resources to innovate, developers now can share profits with any innovations created within the environment they facilitate. So, instead of building the cheapest possible to extract the highest rents possible, we are building the most long-term sustainable as possible to eliminate all residents’ costs and invest in residents’ skills, talents, education, wellness, and entrepreneurial potential. This is a REGENERATIVE investment, and it must be our way forward.
Once we establish this model, ALL people will have access to Austin’s urban core, as well as equitable opportunity to actualize their highest potential and live their purpose in joy, abundance, and freedom.