DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Verónica R. Soto, FAICP, Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUMMARY:
Director to report updates on Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Programs
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Each month the Director prepares a report on program updates directly affecting the Commission and its charge.
ISSUE:
Topics to be discussed are: (a) Consolidated Plan; (b) Report out on the Annual Retreat; (c) Annual Report; (d) Source of Income Discrimination; (e) Innovation Review of Fair Housing; (f) Upcoming Meetings
a) Consolidated Plan
The City of San Antonio is in the process of developing the FY 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan guides the City in its use of funding received annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) for the next five years. The City expects to receive more than $100 million dollars in funding for these programs in FY 2022-2026. As part of this process, the City will be holding virtual community input meetings and issuing a resident survey to gather information to assess the community’s current needs, identify resources and develop goals and strategies to address the priority of unmet needs. The survey is open until May 15, 2021. In addition to the survey, the planning effort will also incorporate survey findings from recent and ongoing initiatives such as the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan, ForEveryoneHome, the Removing Barriers Committee, and others. The Consolidated Plan must be submitted to HUD by August 16, 2021. More information about the Con Plan is available at www.sanantonio.gov/conplan <http://www.sanantonio.gov/conplan>.
b) Report out on the Annual Retreat
Staff to share a draft summary report on the annual retreat and the work done by Commissioners.
c) Annual Report
The Office of the Mayor requested a report of the City’s progress on the Housing Policy Framework Goals. Staff has compiled the information as requested and will present the content to the Commission for their potential use in drafting the annual report that is part of their charge.
d) Source of Income Discrimination
The Source of Income Discrimination (SOID) was brought before the Commission during the January regular meeting. The Planning and Land Development Committee referred the item to the City Council B Session, which occurred on April 21, 2021. The item is anticipated to go before a vote at City Council on April 29, 2021.
e) Innovation Review of Fair Housing
NHSD is working with the Office of Innovation to identify the greatest fair housing needs of City residents to inform the focus of NHSD’s existing Fair Housing Division post-COVID and the staffing requirements and structure needed to deliver high quality service effectively and sustainably after federal and emergency funds are exhausted.
• Eliminate reliance upon temporary workforce.
• Mold the division to best fit the needs of the community.
• Create more just/fair housing realities/experiences for City residents.
• Staff the division appropriately
f) Upcoming Meetings
The next regular meeting will be held on May 26, 2021.
ALTERNATIVES
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.