Council approves resolution supporting new housing development despite debate over affordability

The San Antonio City Council on May 29 approved a resolution supporting the construction of apartments by the local housing authority (identified in meeting documents as the Corporativo de Viviendas de San Antonio, PFC).

The project drew debate on affordability. One councilmember said the development included a small percentage of deeply affordable units and that much of the project would be market rate; that councilmember said, “Para mí, eso no es vivienda asequible,” and announced an intention to vote no. Other councilmembers and staff described the project as one step toward adding workforce and affordable rental housing in north San Antonio.

According to remarks in the meeting, the project would set aside some units at income tiers referenced in the record as 60% and 80% of area median income (AMI) and a project-level set-aside of about 10% for lower tiers; several speakers said roughly half the project would be market-rate. A councilmember disputed that allocation and said the project would not meet deeper affordability targets such as 30% AMI; that councilmember also said roughly half the project would be market rate and that rents at market rate would be higher than many residents can afford.

A motion to approve the resolution was made, seconded and carried. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or the individual vote tally in the excerpt provided; the councilmember who spoke against the measure was recorded as voting no on the item. Staff remarks referenced prior housing-authority work and the city’s ongoing housing needs.

The resolution’s approval does not in itself allocate city funding in the public record excerpt, but council discussion stressed that the city continues to consider additional measures to increase deeply affordable housing.