After much debate and two commissioners abstaining, Bexar County Commissioners Court has cleared the way for new permanent supportive housing for the unhoused. On Tuesday, the court approved a $4 million funding measure earmarked for the Commons at Acequia Trails Apartments, a project that's been riddled with administrative delays and budget woes. Despite the contention, the vote passed 3-0 with those two abstentions, reported the San Antonio Report.
The new housing, aimed at aiding individuals experiencing homelessness, will be located in the South Side and helmed by local nonprofit SAMMinistries. Upon completion, the 200-unit complex is anticipated to offer comprehensive services to its residents, which includes on-site case management, healthcare, and mental health services. According to a statement obtained by the San Antonio Report, Nikisha Baker, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, hailed the development as "an incredible win for our community."
However, the approval did not come without its fair share of controversy. Commissioner Tommy Calvert and Commissioner Grant Moody chose not to cast votes, the former expressing the need for additional community input and the latter desiring more clarity on the financial specifics of the county's contribution. Echoing sentiment in support of the project but with reservations about the process, Precinct 4's Calvert said during the meeting that he wanted to postpone the vote to accommodate further discussions with local residents, as per a KENS 5 interview.
Despite the approval by Bexar County, the project drew criticism from local neighborhood groups, lamenting the perceived deficiency of community engagement. Brady Alexander, head of a local association, criticized the project during the meeting, referring to it as "dis-investment" in the neighborhood, while another resident stressed the toll that such processes may have on community support for similar initiatives in the future, according to the San Antonio Report. In response to these concerns, Baker addressed the court and acknowledged that SAMMinistries could have initiated outreach efforts earlier, while also committing to establishing direct lines of communication with the community moving forward.
With the city previously approving an $11 million investment and the approval of the Bexar County funds, the Commons at Acequia Trails project edges closer to fruition. The planned groundbreaking for the complex is in November 2024, and it aims to welcome residents in 2026, as stated by KENS 5. The project stands as a significant contribution towards San Antonio's goal of developing 1,000 new permanent supportive housing units over the next decade. The Acequia Trails apartments will become the second such single-site project in San Antonio, following the opening of the Hudson apartments.
