San Antonio allocates TIRS funds for 721 new affordable housing units

The San Antonio City Council held a special session on September 3, 2025, focusing on infrastructure improvements, affordable housing initiatives, and the strategic use of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ). The meeting highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to enhance community development through partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the effectiveness of TIRZ funding in supporting affordable housing projects. City officials reported that approximately 721 affordable units have been produced through city-initiated TIRZ, with an additional 200 units resulting from home rehabilitation projects. Furthermore, developer-initiated TIRZ contributed around 2,300 units, with 54% classified as affordable housing.

Council members expressed interest in understanding how TIRZ funding could be utilized outside designated zones to address broader housing needs. Officials clarified that funds from inner-city TIRZ have been strategically allocated to create a pool for gap financing, enabling the city to support various affordable housing projects beyond their original zones.

The meeting also addressed the termination of several TIRZ, with four zones having been dissolved in the past three years. This action resulted in approximately $1.2 million being returned to the general fund, prompting discussions on the implications for future funding and development.

Overall, the session underscored San Antonio's commitment to improving housing accessibility and infrastructure while navigating the complexities of funding and development strategies. The council plans to continue exploring effective methods to leverage TIRZ funding for the benefit of the community.