BREAKING NEWS
City of San Antonio considers new tool to avoid SAWS water shutoffs at apartments
Read full article: City of San Antonio considers new tool to avoid SAWS water shutoffs at apartmentsThe City of San Antonio and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) are considering a plan to keep both the water and money for bills flowing at apartment complexes with large overdue balances.
Federal investigators were preparing two Texas housing discrimination cases — until Trump took over
Read full article: Federal investigators were preparing two Texas housing discrimination cases — until Trump took overThe government spent years probing allegations that a Dallas HOA created rules to kick poor Black people out and that Texas discriminated against minority residents in Houston after Hurricane Harvey, only to suddenly reverse course under Trump.
Texas Senate advances bill to allow smaller homes on smaller lots
Read full article: Texas Senate advances bill to allow smaller homes on smaller lotsLawmakers, who are preempting locals on lot sizes in new subdivisions, have been eyeing ways to allow more homes to be built as the state faces a shortage.
‘We’re really just looking for people’s thoughts’: SA Tomorrow planning meeting focuses on near Northeast community
Read full article: ‘We’re really just looking for people’s thoughts’: SA Tomorrow planning meeting focuses on near Northeast communityThe city’s Planning Department is hosting a Northeast Community Area Planning Meeting this Thursday, inviting input from residents and business owners in the area around the 410 and I-35 corridor, stretching from Gibbs Sprawl Road to Broadway.
Texas House and Senate lawmakers have laid out their property tax cut proposals. How do they compare?
Read full article: Texas House and Senate lawmakers have laid out their property tax cut proposals. How do they compare?House and Senate lawmakers plan to spend at least $6 billion on property tax cuts, but haven't yet agreed on how much relief should go to homeowners over businesses.
Texas lawmakers want to make it easier to convert office space into apartments and condos
Read full article: Texas lawmakers want to make it easier to convert office space into apartments and condosSupporters hope easing zoning rules will entice landlords to renovate and ease the state’s housing crisis.
Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeowners
Read full article: Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeownersThe marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next.
Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.Gov. Greg Abbott said cutting taxes is a top priority, however, state lawmakers don’t have as much money to plug into tax cuts as they did two years ago.
Feds refer Texas’ Harvey funding discrimination case to Justice Department
Read full article: Feds refer Texas’ Harvey funding discrimination case to Justice DepartmentThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development confirmed its finding that Texas unfairly favored white residents in rural areas when it distributed $1 billion in Harvey aid in 2021.
Nonprofit lands $2 million grant to address East Side connectivity around three highways
Read full article: Nonprofit lands $2 million grant to address East Side connectivity around three highwaysSan Antonio Growth for the Eastside (SAGE) was awarded $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to address East Side connectivity, according to a USDOT news release.
Here are the biggest stories from our data visuals team in 2024
Read full article: Here are the biggest stories from our data visuals team in 2024The Tribune’s data journalists helped visualize everything from voter participation and extreme weather to gaps in the state’s border wall. Here are some of the highlights.
San Antonio retains ‘gold medal city’ status per CityHealth ranking
Read full article: San Antonio retains ‘gold medal city’ status per CityHealth rankingThe City of San Antonio has retained its “gold medal city” status from CityHealth, an initiative that rates cities on public health policy adoption.
Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban Development
Read full article: Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban DevelopmentTurner served in the Texas House for four years and was also executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump administration.
Infrastructure, housing funding top of mind in city briefing on federal legislative program
Read full article: Infrastructure, housing funding top of mind in city briefing on federal legislative programSan Antonio’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee held a briefing this week on the city’s legislative program, which addresses city priorities and interests at the federal level for next year’s congressional session
How 11 Texas cities made housing unaffordable — and what’s being done to fix it
Read full article: How 11 Texas cities made housing unaffordable — and what’s being done to fix itTexas desperately needs more and denser housing to keep up with the demand. But zoning restrictions get in the way, a Texas Tribune analysis found.
Texas’ high housing costs sparked a movement to bring them down. The fight could shape the state for years to come.
Read full article: Texas’ high housing costs sparked a movement to bring them down. The fight could shape the state for years to come.A new breed of activists wants Texas to tame costs by building more housing. But longstanding opposition to such policies remains strong.
HUD releases playbook addressing extreme heat resilience as parts of US continue showing high temperatures
Read full article: HUD releases playbook addressing extreme heat resilience as parts of US continue showing high temperaturesAs cities, including San Antonio, continue to battle extreme heat exacerbations, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a strategy to curb heat’s effect on the housing system and offer clear guidance on active heat mitigation efforts.
City plans to buy vacant lots along proposed VIA Green Line for affordable housing
Read full article: City plans to buy vacant lots along proposed VIA Green Line for affordable housingWhile VIA Metropolitan Transit continues to plug away on its Advanced Rapid Transit plan, the city of San Antonio is aiming to strategically align with those plans by buying up vacant lots along the proposed north-south route.
Low occupancy, lagging rate growth in apartments likely to persist through 2025
Read full article: Low occupancy, lagging rate growth in apartments likely to persist through 2025Staggering rates of new deliveries hammering occupancy and rental prices in San Antonio’s apartment market are likely to persist through 2025.
Texas must build hundreds of thousands of homes to lower housing costs, says state comptroller
Read full article: Texas must build hundreds of thousands of homes to lower housing costs, says state comptrollerTexas needs hundreds of thousands more homes than it has, per one estimate. That shortage has driven up home prices and rents.
San Antonio Renters’ Rights Info Session happening this Saturday
Read full article: San Antonio Renters’ Rights Info Session happening this SaturdayIf you’re a renter plagued by recurring problems with your home’s air conditioning, mold, or pests, you can attend a free Renters’ Rights Info Session this Saturday.
Families combat rising costs by living under one roof, study shows
Read full article: Families combat rising costs by living under one roof, study showsOver half of Americans share their roofs with multiple generations, and the majority are rooming with family members to combat rising expenses, according to a new study by Lombardo Homes.
As more Texans struggle with housing costs, homeownership becoming less attainable
Read full article: As more Texans struggle with housing costs, homeownership becoming less attainableA new housing report from Harvard University found that would-be homebuyers need to make more money than ever if they want to buy a home in Texas’ urban areas.
City of San Antonio begins conversation on how to spend four federal housing grants in next year’s budget
Read full article: City of San Antonio begins conversation on how to spend four federal housing grants in next year’s budgetThe City anticipates receiving approximately $23 million in total grant funding in FY 2025 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Coalition calls for reinstatement of now-former president, CEO of Opportunity Home
Read full article: Coalition calls for reinstatement of now-former president, CEO of Opportunity HomeA group of organization leaders and locals have called for the reinstatement of Ed Hinojosa Jr., the now-former president and CEO of Opportunity Home.
President, CEO of Opportunity Home sees contract ended by board of commissioners
Read full article: President, CEO of Opportunity Home sees contract ended by board of commissionersThe board’s decision came on Wednesday and cited “a need for fresh leadership to propel the organization into a new direction.”
With new platform, Texas Democrats may find common ground with Republicans on housing affordability crisis
Read full article: With new platform, Texas Democrats may find common ground with Republicans on housing affordability crisisThe Democrats’ recently approved platform includes calls to loosen zoning rules, which housing experts believe contribute to high housing costs.
Texas legislators want to help property owners deal with squatters. But the changes could affect tenants.
Read full article: Texas legislators want to help property owners deal with squatters. But the changes could affect tenants.Housing advocates say Texas laws fall short when it comes to property trespassers but they warn changes could worsen the state’s evictions crisis.
The US Census Bureau says San Antonio is fastest-growing city; can its real estate market handle the growth?
Read full article: The US Census Bureau says San Antonio is fastest-growing city; can its real estate market handle the growth?One nonprofit said it is most concerned with the amount of affordable housing citywide.
Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M students’ housing woes
Read full article: Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M students’ housing woesThe new fines underscore the challenges college students face when looking for affordable housing — and how cities struggle to provide it.
City of San Antonio, partners launch ‘one-stop shop’ housing services portal
Read full article: City of San Antonio, partners launch ‘one-stop shop’ housing services portalThe Housing Services Portal was launched by the City of San Antonio Neighborhood and Housing Services Department and the San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD).
Deep dive into San Antonio’s housing problem as inflation, home prices rise
Read full article: Deep dive into San Antonio’s housing problem as inflation, home prices riseRight now, inflation and housing prices are a struggle across the nation for people of all economic levels. In San Antonio, those two issues are combining with the end of the COVID-era eviction moratorium, collectively causing a housing crisis. Solutionaries looks at the big picture, laying out current solutions and needs that still have to be met.
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Harris County to block program that would give cash to poorest households
Read full article: Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Harris County to block program that would give cash to poorest householdsThe program would give roughly 1,900 households payments of $500 for 18 months with no strings attached. Paxton called it “plainly unconstitutional.”
Republicans’ budding interest in Texas’ housing crisis could create strange political bedfellows
Read full article: Republicans’ budding interest in Texas’ housing crisis could create strange political bedfellowsRepublican lawmakers may try to force Texas cities to allow greater housing density as the state faces a housing crunch.
Why some Texas cities are getting rid of their minimum parking rules
Read full article: Why some Texas cities are getting rid of their minimum parking rulesMost cities require homes and businesses to have parking. Critics say they drive up housing costs, foster car dependency and raise carbon emissions.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants the Texas Legislature to rein in investors behind large-scale home purchases
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants the Texas Legislature to rein in investors behind large-scale home purchasesSo-called institutional homebuyers noticeably ramped up home purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. But housing experts point out investors have retreated amid high interest rates.
Rural housing programs serve Texas’ elderly and disabled. This federal bill could make the process easier.
Read full article: Rural housing programs serve Texas’ elderly and disabled. This federal bill could make the process easier.Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett introduced House Bill 7412 to fix administrative issues that have created hurdles for some in rural communities.
Leading SA: San Antonio Board of Realtors chairman discusses the city’s housing market
Read full article: Leading SA: San Antonio Board of Realtors chairman discusses the city’s housing marketWilliam Curtis, chairman of the San Antonio Board of Realtors, joined Leading SA to discuss the current state of the local housing market.
Amid high rents, eviction filings in major Texas cities soar above pre-pandemic levels
Read full article: Amid high rents, eviction filings in major Texas cities soar above pre-pandemic levelsLegal aid groups and housing advocates say there simply aren’t enough lawyers to keep up with the sheer volume of eviction filings.
Elevator at elderly and disabled public housing complex fixed after weekslong outage
Read full article: Elevator at elderly and disabled public housing complex fixed after weekslong outageAfter weeks without a working elevator, the spirits of the elderly and disabled residents of an Opportunity Home San Antonio apartment have been lifted.
Homelessness in Texas on the rise amid high housing costs, federal estimates show
Read full article: Homelessness in Texas on the rise amid high housing costs, federal estimates showHomelessness rose last year across nearly every demographic group, but strides were made to connect people with new housing.
Six years after Hurricane Harvey, the city of Houston still hasn’t allocated $200 million in relief funds
Read full article: Six years after Hurricane Harvey, the city of Houston still hasn’t allocated $200 million in relief fundsBoth the state and the city of Houston say they want to work together to help pay down the remaining funds.
San Antonio only ‘gold medal’ city in Texas, according to CityHealth’s rankings of public health policy
Read full article: San Antonio only ‘gold medal’ city in Texas, according to CityHealth’s rankings of public health policySan Antonio recently landed a spot on a list of cities praised for their public health policies aimed at assisting marginalized communities, according to data from CityHealth.
Austin will now allow more homes to be built on single-family lots
Read full article: Austin will now allow more homes to be built on single-family lotsCity officials hope that allowing up to three units per lot will increase supply and slow the explosive increase in housing costs. The measure was approved by Austin City Council in a 9-2 vote late Thursday night.
More than 765,000 older Texans are struggling to cover housing costs
Read full article: More than 765,000 older Texans are struggling to cover housing costsA new Harvard University study found an increase in the number of Texas households headed by people 65 or older spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Advocates say keeping older adults housed will require substantial public investment and reforms.
Residents of a South Side mobile home park prepare to become its owners
Read full article: Residents of a South Side mobile home park prepare to become its ownersThe residents at Riverside Terrace on Mission Road are poised to become the third resident-owned community in Texas. Instead of a landlord, a co-op of residents will own and maintain the mobile home park.
As Texans struggle with housing costs, cities look for new ways to spur more home construction
Read full article: As Texans struggle with housing costs, cities look for new ways to spur more home constructionIn cities dominated by single-family neighborhoods, local leaders across Texas want a broader variety of housing to combat the affordability crisis.
Printing a place to live: In Central Texas, homes are being built with emerging 3D technology
Read full article: Printing a place to live: In Central Texas, homes are being built with emerging 3D technologyUsing robotic 3D printers that can build the concrete walls of a house, a pair of Texas startups say the technology could help alleviate two crises: the housing shortage and climate change.
Colony Ridge developer defends Houston-area community as state leaders vow action against it
Read full article: Colony Ridge developer defends Houston-area community as state leaders vow action against itGOP leaders claim the development markets to undocumented people and is plagued by crime. One of its owners refutes the allegations and says he’s ready to show lawmakers that Colony Ridge isn’t different than any other rural Texas community.
Austin will try again to tame its housing affordability crisis with zoning reforms. Can it do it this time?
Read full article: Austin will try again to tame its housing affordability crisis with zoning reforms. Can it do it this time?The city’s decades-long battle to overhaul local rules to allow more, denser housing to be built may be reaching a turning point.
Billions in property tax cuts need Texas voters’ approval before taking effect. Here’s what you need to know.
Read full article: Billions in property tax cuts need Texas voters’ approval before taking effect. Here’s what you need to know.Legislation passed this month would raise the state’s homestead exemption to $100,000, lower schools’ tax rates and put an appraisal cap on residential and commercial properties, among other measures. But voters must approve a constitutional amendment first.
Long-awaited $18 billion property tax-cut deal heads to Gov. Greg Abbott
Read full article: Long-awaited $18 billion property tax-cut deal heads to Gov. Greg AbbottHouse Democrats attempted to insert benefits for renters and more money for public education into the tax-cuts package in a series of floor amendments but were unsuccessful.
Texas House and Senate reach a deal on how to cut property taxes
Read full article: Texas House and Senate reach a deal on how to cut property taxesThe deal would channel $12 billion to reduce the school property tax rate for homeowners and business properties, increase the homestead exemption, and create a pilot program to reduce taxes on certain residential and commercial properties. The legislation is expected to pass later this week.
Texas bans homeowners’ associations from discriminating against renters who receive federal housing aid
Read full article: Texas bans homeowners’ associations from discriminating against renters who receive federal housing aidState lawmakers passed the law after a North Texas homeowners’ association barred landlords from renting to Section 8 tenants. Most of the affected tenants in that neighborhood were Black.
As Texas lawmakers tussle over property tax relief, it’s unclear whether renters will benefit
Read full article: As Texas lawmakers tussle over property tax relief, it’s unclear whether renters will benefitTexas’ top Republicans are fighting over how to split property tax cuts between businesses and homeowners. Democrats want renters to see relief, too.
Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan join forces on property taxes. It might help the push for school vouchers.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan join forces on property taxes. It might help the push for school vouchers.Phelan announced the formation of a House committee that could set the tone in favor of vouchers ahead of an expected special session on education. The move comes weeks after Abbott sided with Phelan on a plan to lower property taxes.
At the fringes of Houston’s prosperity, the city’s eviction machine is running full throttle
Read full article: At the fringes of Houston’s prosperity, the city’s eviction machine is running full throttleHouston has seen eviction rates soar since pandemic protections for renters lapsed. At one apartment complex, ejecting people from their homes is a ritual part of the business model.
Texas lawmakers fail to reach last-minute deal to cut property taxes
Read full article: Texas lawmakers fail to reach last-minute deal to cut property taxesAfter negotiations that became tense and public, the House and Senate fell short of delivering on one of the biggest legislative priorities for Republicans in the regular legislative session.
Bills to build more homes — and lower housing costs — fail quietly in final days of the Texas Legislature
Read full article: Bills to build more homes — and lower housing costs — fail quietly in final days of the Texas LegislatureDemocrats played a major role in killing legislation aimed at boosting Texas’ flagging housing supply — to the frustration of housing advocates.
It’s cheaper to rent than buy a home in San Antonio (barely), but not the case for Houston
Read full article: It’s cheaper to rent than buy a home in San Antonio (barely), but not the case for HoustonIn San Antonio, buying a home right now would cost, on average, about 5% more than renting — not a huge difference.
Texas House approves property tax bill with changes the Senate might not like
Read full article: Texas House approves property tax bill with changes the Senate might not likeHouse lawmakers added a significant boost to the Senate’s proposed homestead exemption and tacked on a contentious idea to lower the state’s appraisal cap.
Mobile home co-op plan poised to get city bond funding
Read full article: Mobile home co-op plan poised to get city bond fundingAs part of the second round of proposals to use bond and federal dollars, city staff on Wednesday recommended helping fund a plan to purchase a South Side mobile home park and convert it into a co-op.
Why tax policy experts fear the Texas House plan to lower property taxes could have dire ripple effects
Read full article: Why tax policy experts fear the Texas House plan to lower property taxes could have dire ripple effectsBoth the House and the Senate’s proposals on property tax cuts would give modest savings to the typical Texas homeowner, but critics say the House plan could create vast inequities and disproportionately benefit wealthy homeowners.
Hundreds of new homes on the horizon at 1,900-acre New Braunfels community
Read full article: Hundreds of new homes on the horizon at 1,900-acre New Braunfels communityAn ambitious 1,900-acre community in New Braunfels will begin delivering lots to homebuilders later this year, with hundreds of new homes on the horizon.
Embrey tees up for Boerne single-family rental home community
Read full article: Embrey tees up for Boerne single-family rental home communityEmbrey is upping the stakes on its built-to-rent gamble, announcing its third single-family rental community in Boerne — before the other two have even wrapped up construction.