02/25/2026
Riley Rodriguez is asking people affected by the housing crisis to come to the City Council Meeting on Thursday February 26, 2026 at 8:30 to speak in public comments to get this issue on the agenda.
Then, directly after, the West Central West Central Texas Council of Governments is hosting a Stakeholder Feeback Session for the 2026 One-Year Action Plan. This meeting matters because it's where city and regional leaders decide how to spend federal housing and community development funds, including CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME grants.
LOCATION: West Central West Central Texas Council of Governments 3702 Loop 322, Abilene, Tx. 79602
This is a direct opportunity to put the community's housing concerns into the official record and push for a response to displacement and rent shocks connected to Project Stargate.
The goal: Publicly state that the current 2026 One-Year Action Plan is insufficient to address the $1,000+ rent spikes, and demand that Stargate developers be held accountable through a Community Mitigation Fund.
This is an open public meeting. Under the Texas Open Meetings Act, Councils of Governments (COGS) are considered governmental bodies and must conduct their business in meetings that are open to the public.
Right to Attend: Any member of the public can walk into the meeting at 3702 Loop 322. You do not need a special invitation or stakeholder status to be in the room.
Right to Speak: Texas Government Cod 551.007 requires governmental bodies to allow members of the public to address them regarding items on the agenda. Since the 2026 One-Year Action Plan is the topic of the feedback session, they are required to give you a chance to speak on it.
This meeting is being held to consult with the community on the distribution of TXCDBG (Block Grant) funds for 2026. This is the exact pool of money that could be used for housing stabilization in response to the Project Stargate influx.
Tips for attending and speaking:
1. Arrive early. An RSVP was requested by 2/20 but they cannot legally bar you from an open meeting for failing to RSVP. Arrive before 10 am to sign any Public Comment sheet if they have one
2. Focus on the Agenda: To ensure your right to speak is protected, frame your comments around this point:
The 2026 One-Year Action Plan must address housing displacement and rent shocks caused by the data center construction boom.
