City Council B Session - 2026-04-01
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
San Antonio City Council approved nearly $21 million in affordable housing awards for eight projects, including $14.4 million for four rental housing developments totaling 505 units and $4.2 million for 51 homeownership opportunities. The council also discussed but did not vote on a proposed source of income protection ordinance for veterans with housing vouchers, with most members supporting sending the item to the Planning and Community Development Committee for further review alongside a related incentive program CCR.
Key Decisions (4)
Affordable Housing Gap Funding Awards - Rental Housing
Council recommended approval of $14.4 million for four rental housing projects: 111 West Travis ($4.5M from housing bond for 63 units including 13 at 30% AMI), Judy at VITA ($5.6M for 68 supportive housing units for homeless youth in District 4), Aurora MLK ($1.75M CDBG loan for 288 units including 44 at 30% AMI in District 2), and Heritage Estates at Medina ($2.5M for 86 units for older adults/veterans in District 4).
Affordable Housing Gap Funding Awards - Homeownership Production
Council recommended approval of $4.2 million in federal CDBG and HOME funds for two homeownership projects: Rancho Verano by Habitat for Humanity ($4M for 47 homes in District 4) and Casitas Affordable Homes by Nuestras Casas ($225K for 4 infill units in District 5).
Community Land Trust Funding Awards
Council recommended approval of $2.2 million from housing bond for two community land trust projects: Silk Road Cultural Lingua CLT ($1.5M for 10 homeownership opportunities in Districts 1, 7, 8, 9, 10) and Esperanza CLT ($681,400 for 10 rental units at 30% AMI in District 5).
Veterans Source of Income Protection Ordinance
Discussion on proposed ordinance to prohibit landlords from denying housing to veterans solely based on their use of housing vouchers (VASH or Section 8). Approximately 1,940 veterans in San Antonio hold vouchers, with about 127 currently seeking housing. Council consensus was to send to PCDC committee for further review.
Development Activity (8)
111 West Travis
Historic multifamily rehabilitation of 63 affordable units including 13 units at 30% AMI. Adding second elevator for accessibility. Total award $4.5M from housing bond plus potential $1.7M CDBG loan forgiveness.
Judy at VITA
68 supportive housing units for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including foster care transitions. Universal design level 4 accessibility. 14 units at 30% AMI. Award of $5.6M from Housing Bond, CDBG, and HOME funds.
Aurora MLK
288 affordable rental units including 44 units at 30% AMI. Family size units in urban core near frequent transit. Award of $1.75M CDBG loan. Applying for 4% low income housing tax credits.
Heritage Estates at Medina
86 units for older adults with focus on serving veterans. 13 units at 30% AMI. Already awarded 9% low income housing tax credits. Award of $2.5M from housing bond. Construction to begin summer 2026.
Rancho Verano
New subdivision with 47 homeownership opportunities. Homes priced around $160,000 with 0% interest mortgages. Award of $4M from CDBG and HOME funds.
Casitas Affordable Homes
Missing middle infill project with 4 units (2 bedroom, 1 bathroom each at 800 sq ft). One lot includes ADU. For families below 80% AMI. Award of $225K in federal funds.
Silk Road Cultural Lingua CLT
10 homeownership opportunities through community land trust model with 99-year ground lease. CLT acquires homes, makes repairs including code/accessibility improvements, sells to pre-approved buyers. Award of $1.5M from housing bond.
Esperanza CLT
10 existing single family homes to be repaired and rented to families below 30% AMI. Award of $681,400 from housing bond.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
Of $150 million approved by voters in 2022 housing bond, approximately $129.5 million has been committed to produce or preserve more than 5,000 units across multiple funding rounds.
Housing Demand
Only about 300 of 3,000 rental listings on MLS advertise accepting housing vouchers, representing roughly 10% of available rentals, indicating significant gap in voucher-accepting housing stock.
Housing Demand
San Antonio has approximately 760,000 rental units total, with voucher acceptance rates significantly limiting housing options for voucher holders.
Sentiment
Housing authorities have reduced voucher payment processing times from 30-60 days to as quick as 17 days, addressing landlord concerns about payment delays.
Infrastructure
City is prioritizing affordable housing development within quarter mile of Advanced Rapid Transit lines (green and silver lines) and frequent bus service corridors to support transit-oriented development.
Housing Demand
Wheatley Senior Living complex rehabilitation project was not funded due to incomplete needs assessment submission, indicating competitive nature of affordable housing funding.