Fighting for a just budget, that centers community needs
As federal support wanes, local investment in equity, justice, and resilience is more urgent than ever.
Community Investment Budget 2025–2026
What This Budget Represents
In a time of deep inequity and rising need, Austin Justice Coalition joins dozens of local organizations in demanding a city budget that prioritizes housing, health, climate, and justice. With modest investments, we can fill critical service gaps, protect our most vulnerable, and build a future rooted in equity and resilience.
Highlights:
• No Cuts to Core Services
• $35.1M investment = just 2.6% of the General Fund
Explore how your City Council district is allocating public funds and discover opportunities for more equitable investment.
Download in-depth budget analyses powered by our Safe Cities partnership with Campaign Zero.
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AJC Budget Town-hall w/ Council Members Zo Qadri and Mike Siegel
- Austin Justice Coalition Headquarters, 1605 E 38Th 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78722
Austin’s future is being decided right now—and the voices of our communities must be heard.
🔹 Learn how the current budget prioritizes policing over people
🔹 Hear from residents directly impacted by rising housing costs, slow emergency response times, and underfunded public services
🔹 Get involved in advocacy efforts to shift funding toward housing, public health, economic justice, and community-based safety
Reimagining Our Budget: Centering People Over Policing
Community Investment Request
Represents just 2.6% of the City’s General Fund, yet fills critical gaps in housing, health, climate, and legal access.
Policing vs. People
The City of Austin continues to dedicate over 38% of its General Fund to policing, while core services are underfunded.
Policing vs. Community Needs
⚖️ 55% of Travis County Jail Is Pretrial
Thousands are jailed without a conviction – highlighting the urgent need for reentry support and community-based justice investment.
Housing & Stability
• Reentry Housing Navigators – $1.4M
• Family Stabilization Grants – $3M
• Tenant Education & Relocation Assistance – $2.3M
Justice & Legal Access
• Immigration Legal Services – $1M
• Wills, Estates, and Probate Support – $300K
• Forensic Nursing Pay Increases – $300K
Climate & Sustainability
• Climate Plan Implementation – $90K
• Outreach for Sustainability Incentives – $270K
• Cool Corridors Pilot – $2M
• Sustainability Revolving Fund – $20M
Workforce & Economic Equity
• Workforce Development Initiatives – $7.46M
• Green Jobs via ACCC – $4M
• Small Food Access Groups – $670K
Public Health & Crisis Response
• EMS Mental Health Response Teams – $4M
• Office of Violence Prevention Expansion – $2.3M
• Community Coalition Crisis Response – $2.3M
A diverse coalition of advocates and residents is united in calling for a city budget that invests in people, not punishment.
Who is behind us
Across Austin, organizations fighting for housing, health, climate justice, immigrant rights, public safety, and economic opportunity have come together with one clear message: Our budget should reflect our community’s values.
This collective vision is supported by advocates, service providers, and residents who know that real safety and well-being come from investment in people, not punishment. Together, we’re calling for a smarter, fairer, and more compassionate use of public funds.
Supporting Organizations
