San Antonio committee backs task force to boost housing for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities and unhoused LGBTQ+ youth

The Planning & Community Development Committee on Sept. 23 voted to recommend creation of a task force to develop strategies to increase housing supply for four priority groups: veterans using housing vouchers who seek units within five miles of a Veterans Affairs health care facility, people with disabilities (notably residents who are deaf or blind), older adults and unhoused LGBTQ+ youth.

The proposal, presented by Veronica Garcia, director of the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, would staff the task force through her department in partnership with Mark Carmona, the city’s chief housing officer, and Pete Alaniz of the San Antonio Housing Trust. Garcia told the committee the task force was requested by the mayor in a committee memo and is expected to submit initial findings and recommendations to City Council by Jan. 15.

The plan ties into existing city housing efforts. Garcia said Oct. 1 begins year five of the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP) and that the task force’s work will align with the SHIP update and the city’s five-year HUD Consolidated Plan. She also described ongoing partnerships with the San Antonio Housing Trust, Bexar County and local nonprofits.

Garcia noted federal accessibility…