Child care is one more thing that families in Austin cannot afford

At every budget forecast before budget season, our City Council is presented with a sample budget of the average Austin family. The biggest cost driver every year is housing; the second biggest for families with young children is child care.

I believe that as a city, we are certainly addressing housing issues as best we can within the many constraints we have no control over. However, there is seldom as much discussion at the City Council of access to affordable, high-quality child care, even though for many families, the cost is significant.

This week I am sponsoring a resolution that will dig into the issue of affordable, high-quality child care. It will help us find out where children and families live, where affordable high-quality child care is available, the barriers to accessibility, whether there are high-impact areas where the city can invest to expand accessibility, and what options should we as a city consider when investing in high-quality child care.

Austin is home to nearly 70,000 children under the age of 6. Almost half of them live in low-income families, according to the Austin Early Childhood Council. In my district, about two-thirds of children under 6 live in low-income families — about 5,000 children — and there are only two high-quality child care centers to meet their needs.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services benchmarks affordable child care at no more than 10 percent of a family’s median income, which is roughly $650 per month in the Austin area for a family making $77,800 per year. But with a median income of around $48,000 in my district — and the average cost of child care being $900 per month — families in my district are using a significantly higher portion of their income on child care. Many facilities cost substantially more; tuition for a child under 2 may cost over $1,000 per month.

Cost is one of many challenges. Even for those who can afford it, Austin has a severe shortage in the availability of high-quality child care. Many programs have waiting lists two to three years long. Compounding the problem, most families can’t access child care anywhere in the city. Instead, working families need child care that is close to home and transit-oriented.

Then, there is the magic: finding a place that feels right, where children can grow and thrive. I have experienced firsthand just how hard it can be to find child care. Finding the mix of high-quality, affordable and accessible child care is a challenge that nearly all Austin families struggle with — but finding it should be available to all Austin families, regardless of income or geographic location.

When I was sworn in this year, I spoke about my upbringing and the wealth my family had — not wealth in terms of money, but wealth in terms of love and support. I firmly believe that I could not have achieved much of what I have achieved had it not been for a very simple formula: two hardworking, supportive and caring parents. Access to affordable, high-quality child care is good for our workforce, economy and stability as a community. It ensures that any child in Austin has the best shot at success.

I certainly don’t believe that the government can solve all our challenges, but as city leaders we should be doing everything in our power to support families, so that parents can provide the best environment for their children.