In a bid to tackle the issue of affordable housing, San Antonio has taken a historical step with the opening of Preserve at the Port, a redevelopment project that revamps a once-dilapidated Army Air Corps barracks into a vibrant affordable housing community. According to city of San Antonio officials, this new development is a boon for the city's west side, offering a mix of homes designed to meet the economic needs of a diverse population. District 5 Councilmember Terri Castillo, capturing the sentiment at the grand opening, stated, "Every San Antonian deserves access to safe, affordable housing. This redevelopment not only preserves a piece of our city's history but also makes room for our working families, seniors, and young people to build their futures here."
The multimillion-dollar venture, which chalked up an $88.7 million price tag, was backed by a significant $5.5 million slice of the voter-approved 2022 Affordable Housing Bond, with an additional boost from 100% historic tax credits. The finished project comprises 360 homes sliced into different affordability brackets, thereby enabling a wide spectrum of residents - from families earning $26,100 or less to those at 80% of the Average Median Income (AMI) - to find suitable housing options.
Apart from addressing housing scarcity, Preserve at the Port integrates community elements meant for fostering engagement and prosperity. These include partnerships with the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology for educational programs, as well as career training opportunities through the Ready to Work initiative. District 4 City of San Antonio Councilmember Edward Mungia highlighted the importance of such integration, saying, "Access to safe, affordable housing does more than shelter those in need—it empowers our communities."
Additional features of this groundbreaking development are intended to enrich resident experiences, with amenities such as green spaces, playgrounds, a shimmering pool, and periodic community events like food truck nights, inviting residents to form more connected neighborhoods. According to City of San Antonio Pete Alanis, Executive Director of the San Antonio Housing Trust, acknowledged the challenges surmounted in bringing the project to fruition, stating, "With Preserve at the Port, our development team was faced with incredible barriers that they ultimately overcame with the help of its partners at IBC Bank, the City, and the Housing Trust."
Meanwhile, the city's broader efforts to expand access to affordable living spaces continue to make strides, as reported by the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department. The 2022–2027 Affordable Housing Bond has already produced over 5,000 affordable abodes, and with a committed $129.5 million of the $150 million allocation, they are steadily forging ahead with the goals outlined in the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP).
