In an unfolding drama within San Antonio's efforts to tackle housing issues, District 5 Councilmember has expressed confusion and concern over the removal of Opportunity Home’s CEO Ed Hinojosa Jr.; under his leadership, the organization made notable strides in securing funding and reversing a decision to demolish Alazán-Apache Courts, a significant affordable housing resource. The Councilmember’s sentiments come in the wake of a board decision that seems to run counter to the progress the city has made in its mission to provide affordable housing, with Hinojosa playing a crucial role in obtaining a substantial $24.9 million from the City of San Antonio's Affordable Housing Bond and $801,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program federal funding.

According to a statement made by Councilwoman Castillo she's at a loss about the board's decision asserting that "Our housing authority cannot afford to regress or retreat from producing and preserving our only permanently affordable housing stock," and emphasizing the critical need to house the 113,000 people on the waiting list rather than exacerbating the city’s eviction and homelessness issues, while Hinojosa's eviction has seeded unease among residents, triggering fears of what lies ahead for public housing.

The recent partnership between District 5 Office, Opportunity Home, and the Neighborhood Housing & Services Department managed to host a community resource fair aimed at supporting Opportunity Home tenants who were upended by the issuance of notices to vacate (NTV), a move sanctioned by the Opportunity Home Board. Public response to these shifts in the housing landscape has been marked by trepidation, particularly among the most affected.

Jeannette Rico, an Opportunity Home tenant since 2020, expressed her desolation to reporters, stating, "I'm deeply devastated and hurt...I felt like there was hope for public housing," her concern for the future palpable as she contemplates the security of her children's housing; additionally, Hinojosa was seen as a bipartisan unifier securing funds for the housing authority from Congressional representatives on both sides of the aisle, illustrating a collaborative spirit that garnered $5.8 million for the San Antonio residents.