DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Bridgett White
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing and possible action on Homestead Preservation Districts as a recommended legislative priority of the City
SUMMARY:
This item includes a staff briefing and possible Housing Commission action recommending Homestead Preservation Districts as a legislative priority of the City as a means of expanding funding and policy tools for the creation and preservation of affordable/workforce housing.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On October 27, 2015, the Housing Commission to Protect and Preserve Dynamic and Diverse Neighborhoods established the Housing Funding Subcommittee in order to discuss relevant items on the Commission's current Work Plan and to develop recommendations to bring back to the Commission for possible action. The Subcommittee includes the following seven members from the Housing Commission: Jennifer Gonzalez, Gil Piette, Debra Guerrero, Jackie Gorman, Rod Radle, Jim Bailey, and Jose Gonzalez II.
One of the items assigned to the Housing Funding Subcommittee is to identify ongoing sources of funds to be utilized by the entities including the San Antonio Housing Trust and nonprofit housing providers for the rehabilitation, preservation, and creation of affordable/workforce housing.
ISSUE:
During the April 12, 2017 meeting, the Housing Funding Subcommittee carried forward a recommendation requesting the Housing Commission to support a City-led legislative agenda prioritizing Homestead Preservation Districts as a tool to help create and preserve affordable housing.
A Homestead Preservation District, or HPD, is an area that qualifies as a special district under state law (Texas Local Government Code Chapter 373A) first introduced by Texas State Representative Eddie Rodriguez in 2005. A current bill introduced by State Representative Diego Bernal (HB 3691) would expand the applicability of the law to include San Antoni...
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