On Saturday, July 21st, the Mayor’s Housing Policy Task Force presented recommendations to City Council, volunteers, and city staff after nearly one year of work. The Task Force was created in 2017 to address the challenges that San Antonio faces on sustainable affordable housing across the community.
Five technical working groups met over several months to develop specific policy recommendations to improve affordability through the following areas:
- Providing housing for all, including special needs populations;
- Developing and preserving housing for stable, equitable and resilient neighborhoods;
- Removing barriers to housing affordability and supply;
- Identifying new housing funding and financing mechanisms; and
- Creating a transparent, coordinated housing system.
Your Chamber was proud to participate in the technical working group that focused on removing barriers to housing affordability and supply.
During the meeting, an overview was provided to develop context of affordability and factors that lead to the current state of affairs in San Antonio. In order to bridge the gaps, the Task Force recommends allocating $20 million annually, beginning in 2019. A full policy report will be presented to City Council in August, which will include a budget proposal for fiscal year 2019. The proposal introduced is broken down over six areas:
- $2 million: Increase City Staff and Build Capacity (Housing Innovation)
- $2 million: Increase Funding for Under One Roof Program
- $2 million: Increase Funding for Minor Home Repair Program
- $1 million: Establish Risk Mitigation Fund
- $5 million: Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program
- $8 million: Neighborhood Improvements and Gap Financing for Affordable Housing (Rental)
The July 21 presentation is available on the City’s
website. For additional information, please contact Belinda Hartwig, Vice President of Economic Development, at
bhartwig@sachamber.org or 210-229-2199.
