DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Verónica R. Soto, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 5
SUBJECT:
Support for the San Antonio Housing Authority’s Application of Alazan-Guadalupe Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant
SUMMARY:
The San Antonio Housing Authority wishes to receive support from the City of San Antonio in submitting a grant application to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Choice Neighborhoods program supports locally driven strategies to address struggling neighborhoods with distressed public or U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation. Local leaders, residents, and stakeholders, such as public housing authorities, cities, schools, police, business owners, nonprofits, and private developers, come together to create and implement a plan to transform distressed HUD housing and addresses the challenges in the surrounding neighborhood. The program is designed to catalyze critical improvements in neighborhood assets, including vacant property, housing services, and education services. HUD currently anticipates awarding Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grants to approximately four to five projects across the U.S. at approximately $30 million each.
Communities will compete in a transparent process and be required to demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of their local commitment to become Choice Neighborhoods. Each designated Choice Neighborhood will be asked to identify a set of outcomes they will pursue to revitalize their communities, develop a strategy supporting those outcomes, and realign resources accordingly. For communities selected, the federal government will partner to help the Choice Neighborhoods access the resources and expertise they need.
This City Council action does not commit the City to a required grant match of $21 million over a five year period. Funds for a potential grant match have not been identified, and this item does not appropriate any funds. Identification of funding for this item will follow City Council policy input and direction. If funds are identified, authorization from City Council to allocate funds for this grant will be done through a subsequent ordinance. While the City’s Housing & Urban Development Entitlement grants, including CDBG and HOME funds, are preferred funding option, a reduction in these programs’ funding levels in the near future is possible.
ISSUE:
This item is a Resolution of Support for the San Antonio Housing Authority application of the Alazan-Guadalupe Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant.
Several entities, including the City of San Antonio, have initiated efforts in the Alazan-Guadalupe Choice Neighborhood footprint which lays within Commerce St. to the north, San Marcos St. and the rail to the east, Laredo St. to the south and Trinity St. to the west. SAHA proposes the multi-phase redevelopment of the 501 public housing units currently known as “Alazan” through newly constructed mixed-income multifamily developments. The new developments would provide housing for families of all income levels within this community. If approved by City Council in a future action item, the City would develop alternatives to potentially address housing, long-term municipal infrastructure enhancements that enhance walkability, improve vehicular travel and public transportation, continue successful community policing strategies, continue neighborhood sweeps in the attendance zone, and generally expand the availability of other wrap around services in the neighborhood.
This City Council action does not commit the City to a required grant match of $21 million over a five year period. Funds for a potential grant match have not been identified, and this item does not appropriate any funds. Identification of funding for this item will follow City Council policy input and direction. If funds are identified, authorization from City Council to allocate funds for this grant will be done through a subsequent ordinance. While the City’s Housing & Urban Development Entitlement grants, including CDBG and HOME funds, are preferred funding option, a reduction in these programs’ funding levels in the near future is possible.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may direct staff to identify alternative methods for addressing issues of poverty within the City of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This City Council action does not commit the City to a required grant match of $21 million over a five year period. Funds for a potential grant match have not been identified, and this item does not appropriate any funds. Identification of funding for this item will follow City Council policy input and direction. If funds are identified, authorization from City Council to allocate funds for this grant will be done through a subsequent ordinance. While the City’s Housing & Urban Development Entitlement grants, including CDBG and HOME funds, are preferred funding option, a reduction in these programs’ funding levels in the near future is possible.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Resolution.