🌱 $99K Homes? + Rent Assistance Deadline Is TODAY + Free SXSW Events

Hello and good morning, Austin! It's Jessica here in your inbox bright and early to get you up to speed on the most important local news and community updates.

Settle in with your morning coffee while we dive into:

• A Houston ISD staffing decision sends shocks across the entire state.
• The rental assistance deadline is TODAY — keep scrolling for info.
• Incoming storms prompt venue and date changes for a slew of local events.

But first, today's weather:

Heavy thunderstorms. High: 78 Low: 42.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is removing Houston ISD's elected school board and superintendent. TEA confirms it will appoint a new board of managers and a new superintendent. Many education advocates across the state are concerned about the local and statewide impact of this decision. With 276 school campuses and an enrollment of nearly 200,000 students, Houston ISD will now be the largest district that TEA has taken over since 2000. Houston ISD is the eighth largest school district in the United States. Head to The Texas Tribune to learn more.

2) The state's program to help people facing eviction pay their rent will close applications nearly two weeks earlier than expected. After nearly 70,000 people applied for rental assistance in a single day, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs will stop taking applications for rental assistance at 11:59 a.m. today. The agency also said in a statement that requests for assistance will likely outstrip the funds available. Learn more here at KUT.

3) Calling all architects, designers and dreamers! ICON, an Austin-based construction technology company, debuted its new "Initiative 99," which calls on the design community to conceive homes that can be built for less than $99,000 and are “accessible, beautiful, and dignified.” Registration for the competition opens this summer! The Austin American-Statesman has more on this initiative here.

4) Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) reported that a person fell down a seven-foot hole in Downtown Austin yesterday. The incident took place at 610 Guadalupe St., the site of the historic James T. Brown house. ATCEMS managed to rescue the person from the hole using a ropes system and stokes basket. No information is available as to whether the person was a construction worker or a pedestrian. Visit KVUE for more info.

Today in Austin:

• (Free) NIVA X The Black List Present: The Live List Day Party Presented by TIDAL at Parish. (11 a.m.)
• (Free) Flood Fest Ft. Indigo De Souza, Sudan Archives, and more at Mohawk. (11 a.m.)
• (Free) Dr. Martens Presents (Day 1) at Clive Bar. (1 p.m.)
• (Free, All Ages) Waterloo Records Day Party, Day 3 at Waterloo Records. (1 p.m.)
• SPIN Official SXSW Showcase with Killer Mike, Voxtrot, at Stubb's. (7 p.m.)
• Billboard X Doritos Presents: THE STAGE at SXSW with Lil Yachty at Moody Amphitheater. (7 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

• 🚨 Concert venue change: "The SXSW Community Concerts were scheduled to kick off Thursday night at Auditorium Shores, near Lady Bird Lake. However, due to the severe weather potential, Thursday's performances will be held in Ballroom A of the Austin Convention Center." (KVUE via Facebook)
• 📅 Luck Reunion Festival rescheduled: "Under the advisement of Travis County officials and the National Weather Service the decision has been made to postpone Luck Reunion to Friday, March 17th. The safety of fans, performers, vendors and staff remains paramount…without that there is no Luck." (Luck Reunion via Facebook)
• 🌟 Star-studded SXSW: "From panels to concerts to red carpets, celebrities are taking over South by Southwest. Here's who we've seen in Austin over the last week." (Austin American-Statesman)

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Featured events:

• Cedar Park Market Days (March 18)
• Shop For Prom Attire For FREE for Leander ISD Students (March 25)
• DFW Behavioral Health Symposium (March 29)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Jessica Collins

About me: Jessica is happy to call Austin her home for the past 10+ years. She loves the outdoors, arts & cinema, dining, and all of the natural beauty that Central Texas has to offer.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com