San Antonio is expanding its vision of affordable housing beyond the typical high-rise image, thanks to the insights of Mark Carmona, the city's chief housing officer. In a recent podcast interview with Robert Rivard and Iris Dimmick of the San Antonio Report, Carmona explained the need for a variety of housing options, from duplexes to condos and casitas. These varied residential types are seen as a way to respond to the diverse needs of a growing population.
Since diving into his role in 2021, Carmona has been working hard to integrate different city departments toward improving San Antonio's housing landscape. With a population growth projection of one million by 2040, he underscores that is not just an issue for the current residents but also a concern for the influx of people. “Remember, we’re going to get a million more people in San Antonio by 2040. Where are we going to house these people? We need units,” he cautioned in the San Antonio Report's podcast. Carmona sternly advocates for open discussions on increasing housing density and addressing questions and concerns that naturally arise during these transitions.
The Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP), which Carmona oversees, along with an approved $150 million housing bond, spells out a broad approach to tackle the city’s housing needs. According to the Big City Small Town website, Carmona has a robust background in addressing poverty, homelessness, and affordable housing, which helps him navigate the complexities of San Antonio's demands.
Carmona’s efforts aren't exempt from challenges, particularly when it comes to permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless, which has faced neighborhood pushback. An example set by the successful Towne Twin Village project, he noted, demonstrates the importance of community engagement. "You have to engage the community from the very beginning," Carmona told the San Antonio Report. This includes briefing neighbors on the project's goals and answering their questions, a practice Carmona sees as essential in reframing public perception and support for housing services.
Looking ahead, one of SHIP’s strategies is to kickstart a public education campaign, aiming to enlighten residents about the significant role of housing services. "Part of that is how do we build new frames? Because I think people are operating with old frames when they think about the unhoused," Carmona described the importance of this initiative to the San Antonio Report.
