San Antonio's population now exceeds 1.5 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2040, about 1 million more people are expected to call the area home.
In 2017, voters approved San Antonio's first bond proposition dedicated to housing, worth $20 million, to help stabilize growing neighborhoods and address a lack of supply in affordable housing.
The same year, Mayor Ron Nirenberg established a group of advisors called the Housing Policy Task Force to help develop "comprehensive and compassionate" solutions with feedback from members of the community.
The task force's policy framework shared this summer targets five strategies for improving economic development in San Antonio, including developing a coordinated housing system; increasing production of affordable housing; and creating a 10-year funding plan through the City of San Antonio.
The group also calls for the protection and promotion of existing neighborhoods, as well as "accountability to the public."
The most recent version of the fiscal year 2019 city budget proposes an additional $17 millionin funding for affordable housing initiatives. Can more resources build better results?
What is the reality for housing in San Antonio? Is it possible for affordability to improve for current and future residents?
Guests:
- Lourdes Castro-Ramirez, chair of the Mayor's Housing Policy Task Force, former president and CEO of the San Antonio Housing Authority, principal deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Housing Departmentunder Secretary Julián Castro
- Gene Dawson Jr., member of the Mayor's Housing Policy Task Force and president of Pape Dawson Engineers, Inc.
- Peter Zanoni, deputy city manager for the City of San Antonio
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