City of Austin Fair Housing & Economic Mobility Conference on April 29

Austin Equity and Inclusion, in partnership with Housing will host a Fair Housing and Economic Mobility Conference on April 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. central at the Norris Conference Center. This free, public event invites Austinites to come together with community partners, local businesses, and other key stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore how economic mobility shapes access and opportunity.  

Throughout the day, participants will engage in conversations focused on access and opportunity, fair‑housing protections, and place‑based strategies. The all‑day conference will feature remarks from City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, along with a keynote panel discussion, “Accelerating Pathways to Economic Mobility”. Register to attend the Fair Housing Conference at www.SpeakUpAustin.org/FairHousing. 

“The City of Austin is proud to bring our community together to advance economic mobility,” said Chief of Staff Genesis Gavino. “By working side‑by‑side across all sectors, we can drive impact. Our goal is simple: to close gaps and create the conditions for every community member to thrive.”

Economic mobility is more than income; the City of Austin defines it as:

“Economic mobility addresses systems to improve unfair conditions that influence whether individuals, families, and communities can prosper over time and across generations. It means access to opportunities and resources needed for basic needs, financial security, and a dignified, high‑quality life – regardless of race, place, gender, or ability.”

“Fair Housing plays a central role in that vision.” said Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director of Austin Equity and Inclusion. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is the federal civil rights law that makes discrimination in housing unlawful and affirms the right to fair and equal access to housing regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. 

The conference will feature more than ten breakout sessions, including an introduction to the City’s new Economic Mobility Framework and a data‑informed index highlighting neighborhood conditions across housing, health, work, and access to resources. Sessions will cover fair housing laws and practices, updates from organizations advancing housing justice and neighborhood vitality, and discussions on shared priorities across sectors such as health, workforce, accessibility, and education.  

2026 Fair Housing and Economic Mobility Conference – free and open to the public 

• Location: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Norris Conference Center located at 2525 W Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757

• Full Conference Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Central time (Breakfast and Registration from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)

• Learn more: https://www.speakupaustin.org/FairHousing 

For assistance registering, residents can also email aei@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3251 by Friday, April 24, 2026, to reserve their spot.