Austin Local Headlines: Housing help shifts, Sixth Street response, and weekend plans change
Austin, TX – March 6, 2026 – Rental aid winds down, Sixth Street shooting updates ripple into SXSW planning, and storms shuffle weekend events.
Top local headlines
Austin wakes up today with big changes in housing assistance, continued community response to the West Sixth Street shooting, and a weekend forecast already reshaping plans around the metro.
1) City ends rental-assistance portal, pivots to eviction prevention
The city is closing its rental-assistance application portal indefinitely, shifting limited housing dollars toward eviction-settlement work meant to keep people housed when cases reach the brink. The portal had been expected to reopen April 1, but that plan was pulled back as the city tightens spending.
Housing partners say the cut removes an early lifeline for families who are behind on rent but not yet in court, while city officials say the remaining dollars will be targeted where they can stop immediate displacement.
2) Sixth Street shooting: vigil held, SXSW security plan holds
On Thursday, students and community members gathered at the University of Texas at Austin for a vigil honoring victims of the West Sixth Street shooting. Organizers focused on remembrance and support for those recovering, while campus and city leaders emphasized ongoing coordination.
Separately, Austin police have said they are not changing SXSW security plans in response to the shooting, keeping the existing approach heading into the festival period. Expect visible staffing downtown and the usual emphasis on reporting suspicious activity quickly.
3) Storm threat pushes Central Texas events to new dates
Ahead of a potentially stormy March 7-8 weekend, several large events around the Austin area have been postponed or rescheduled. Food-focused and community events tied to outdoor venues have shifted dates rather than risk unsafe conditions for crowds, vendors and staff.
- Foodieland at Circuit of the Americas was moved to April 3-5.
- Gears & Giving at Dell Diamond in Round Rock was moved to May 9.
- The Dripping Springs Kite Festival was moved to April 11.
4) Arson investigation: AFD asks for public help
The Austin Fire Department is asking for help identifying a person seen near the scene of an arson fire, after surveillance video captured someone of interest in the area. Officials are encouraging anyone with information to contact investigators.
Sources
- https://www.kut.org/housing/2026-03-06/austin-ending-rental-assistance-program-shifting-to-eviction-prevention
- https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-03-05/ut-austin-tx-vigil-shooting-bufords-6th-sixth-street-victims-university-texas
- https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-03-03/austin-tx-police-sxsw-safety-sixth-street-shooting
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/central-texas-events-postponed-march-225303005.html
- https://www.fox7austin.com/video/fmc-6w807cttvw3g5woi
