In a decisive move to combat homelessness, the San Antonio City Council green-lit the funding for three new housing projects promising shelter and support services to those living on the streets. The approval on April 20 allocated a hefty $13.5 million from a voter-approved $150 million affordable housing bond, marking a bold step in the city’s efforts to provide stable living conditions for the chronically homeless.
Spanning across different neighborhoods, these projects are geared to address a dire need, as noted in a council action to channel the funds towards the Towne Twin Village and The Commons at Acequia Trails. According to Community Impact, the investments are supplemented by county support and federal COVID-19 money, together aiming to add 288 permanent supportive housing units to the local market.
Advocates for the projects have underscored their importance not only in providing roofs but also in offering vital on-site services such as case management and community spaces. Despite the naysayers, these housing complexes, lauded by officials, are expected to significantly aid the city's most vulnerable. Their vocal opposition at city council meetings had little sway, as the city’s Human Services Director Melody Woosley said, "These new permanent supportive housing units provide a proven intervention to end homelessness for the most vulnerable individuals in our community."
Digging deeper, The Commons at Acequia Trails project, entrusted to local nonprofit SAMMinistries, stands out with a $43.4 million budget. Set to house individuals earning below 60% of the area median income, its planning faced initial zoning disputes. As reported by San Antonio Report, there was significant neighborhood concern which resulted in scaling back the zoning request from 55 to 12 acres. Nonetheless, Nikisha Baker, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, maintained, “It’s one step on our journey — with a very big one coming next week.”
