City Hosting Free Event Featuring Affordable Housing Updates and Resources

City of San Antonio
MEDIA CONTACT: Marivel Arauza, Public Relations Manager
marivel.arauza@sanantonio.gov
210-396-3387

SAN ANTONIO (January 26, 2023) – San Antonio communities are invited to connect with housing and community resources and learn about the City of San Antonio’s 10-year housing plan at “Housing Affordability in San Antonio” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Tafolla Middle School.

Housing Affordability in San Antonio is a celebration of San Antonio’s one-year adoption of the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan co-led by the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio Housing Trust, Opportunity Home San Antonio and Bexar County.

Two annual convenings are outlined as a strategy in the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan to ensure plans to preserve and build affordable housing remain community-informed, evolve and align with community priorities.

“Convenings like the one today were incorporated in the plan to engage, not simply inform, our communities in the implementation of the 36 strategies,” said Mark Carmona, Chief Housing Officer. “The strategies lack substance without the support of our neighbors who can share their real-life experiences to influence the development of policies to break down barriers to housing access.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a resource fair with representation from the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, Opportunity Home San Antonio, Metro Health, SA Ready to Work, South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, SAMMinistries, the Department of Human Services, the Development Services Department, disABILITY SA, San Antonio Housing Commission, Texas Housers, the Office of Historic Preservation, San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside, LISC San Antonio, Headstart San Antonio, CPS Energy and SAWS.

“The families we serve invite our teams into some of their most personal experiences. Our programs aim to provide stability for thousands of residents across our city,” said Veronica Garcia, Director of Neighborhood and Housing Services. “With the passing of the $150 million affordable housing bond, our department will be in the community spreading awareness of different initiatives and feedback opportunities.”

The San Antonio Food Bank will provide a produce bag for the first 150 attendees. The San Antonio Public Library will be facilitating youth activities.

A presentation will be led to update attendees about the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan, provide progress to date and 2023 priorities. Attendees will be encouraged to provide feedback in a facilitated discussion.

During the second half of the event, attendees will have the option to participate in two workshops:

PRESERVING AND BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOMES: HOUSING BOND AND PARTNERS

The City of San Antonio approved the first projects using funds from the $150 million Affordable Housing Bond to build and rehab affordable housing. The San Antonio Housing Trust began implementing a strategic plan, which acknowledges local partnerships and housing access priorities. This workshop will be a presentation followed by a facilitated discussion about 2022 progress and 2023 timeline.
 

BUILD A ONE-STOP HOUSING SHOP

The City of San Antonio is creating a one-stop housing shop. Use physical materials to collaboratively build the Housing Shop and contribute to the conversation about what type of services should be included and what location considerations are important to communities.

Spanish interpretation and American Sign Language services will be available on site. Attendees can learn more and register for free at sanantonio.gov/SHIP.