Vanessa Fuentes

Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes proudly represents District 2 on the Austin City Council, a growing and diverse district in Southeast Austin.

Since taking office in 2021, Vanessa has fought for improved health, affordability, childcare access, and creative arts. She has also taken a stand for health equity as Chair of the Public Health Committee by sponsoring legislation on displacement prevention, reproductive justice, community health workers, vaccine distribution, mental health services, and healthy food access.

Born and raised in Central Texas to an immigrant mother from Mexico and military veteran father, Vanessa understands the unique challenges her communities face. Since the beginning of her public sector career as a legislative aide focused on criminal policy reform, to her work in healthcare advocacy and policy at a national nonprofit, Vanessa has always been a staunch advocate for healthy communities and racial justice.

Some of Vanessa’s accomplishments include championing the City’s largest-ever wage increase for City Employees (20$/hr minimum wage), eliminating costly barriers to childcare development, increasing access to dual-language pre-K, expanding Austin’s most successful affordable housing incentive program - Affordability Unlocked, and spearheading Austin Public Library’s successful Enhanced Library Card Program.

Vanessa also co-sponsored the implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and is committed to environmental justice, with an emphasis on fostering resilient communities. Her efforts include connecting residents with affordable flood mitigation opportunities and securing funds to start the analysis of burying power lines in city-funded projects.