DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ver?nica R. Soto, AICP, Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City wide
SUBJECT: Proposal for the Establishment of a Renter's Commission
SUMMARY:
Discussion of the establishment of a Renter's Commission as requested by Councilmember Trevi?o, District 1.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A Council Consideration Request (CCR) was sponsored by Councilmember Trevi?o on June 19, 2019 requesting a discussion of the creation of a Renters' Commission.
ISSUE:
On June 11, 2019 Councilmember Trevi?o submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) for a discussion of the establishment of a Renters' Commission. If established, the Commission would be comprised solely of residential renters from different backgrounds to advise the City Council on matters related to affordable housing accessibility, transportation, green and other public spaces, land use, renter laws/rights, public health and safety, education, economic growth, and life in San Antonio.
The CCR noted the following from the 2012-2016 American Community Survey:
1. Renters occupy approximately 46% of the housing units in San Antonio.
2. The median rent for San Antonio has increased by nearly 18% since 2010.
3. The median household income for renters is $33,690 compared to $63,719 for owners.
4. Nearly 50% of renters in San Antonio spend more than 30% of their gross income on rent.
The Housing Commission (HC) was reconstituted in January 2019 to oversee implementation of San Antonio's Housing Policy Framework. The HC's charge does not focus specifically on either renters or homeowners, but rather the varied housing needs of San Antonio as a whole. However, over the past six months, the HC has been involved in a wide variety of issues including the Risk Mitigation Fund used primarily to assist renters at risk of displacement and concerns related to San Antonio Housing Authority evictions.
NHSD and...
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