SUBJECT:
Briefing on Infill Housing Programs administered by the Office of Urban Renewal of San Antonio (OURSA) and San Antonio Affordable Housing Inc. (SAAH)
SUMMARY:
This item is a briefing on the activities of OURSA and SAAH to develop infill affordable housing through programs such as the Infill Pilot Program, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and REnewSA.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
OURSA is the urban renewal agency of the City of San Antonio. It was originally created by voter referendum in 1957 to eliminate slum and blight in areas of urban disinvestment designated by the City as Urban Renewal Plan Areas. It was originally named the San Antonio Development Agency (SADA) but subsequently renamed to OURSA in 2010. It is a separate legal entity whose board is appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of City Council.
The City created SAAH in 1995 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to facilitate the development of affordable housing, improve existing housing stock, and promote the welfare of low- and moderate-income persons through related housing programs. The Articles of Incorportion were amended in 1996 to include technical and economic assistance in public infrastructure, historic conservation and preservation, as well as business and commercial development. The SAAH board is comprised of the same members as the OURSA board.
The functions of OURSA and SAAH are similar in that they both include the negotiation, acquisition, disposition, demolition, and rehabilitation of real property and all that it entails. Unique to OURSA, however, is its shared power with the City to acquire property by eminent domain.
Although similar in function, SAAH was created to provide more flexibility through which the City could achieve its affordable housing goals. Unlike OURSA, which can only operate within established Urban Renewal Plan areas and whose activities are limited by state statute, SAAH can operate with maximum flexibility to achieve its goals ...
Click here for full text