INSIDER
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.
LOOK INSIDE: Lennar spearheading new affordable homes with 350-sq-ft, $100k builds
Read full article: LOOK INSIDE: Lennar spearheading new affordable homes with 350-sq-ft, $100k buildsIf Lennar discovers an appetite for small-footprint housing in San Antonio, it could be a key piece of the affordable housing puzzle in the city.
San Antonio launches website to help people search for affordable rental units
Read full article: San Antonio launches website to help people search for affordable rental unitsThe City of San Antonio is launching a website to help people find affordable housing options as the price of rent increases in the city and throughout Texas.
Rift grows between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan over how to cut property taxes
Read full article: Rift grows between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan over how to cut property taxesThe Senate wants to raise the homestead exemption. The House wants to tighten the appraisal cap. Both chambers’ leaders are skeptical of each other’s proposal.
To tackle high housing costs, Texas lawmakers push to build more homes
Read full article: To tackle high housing costs, Texas lawmakers push to build more homesHousing advocates, builders and real estate experts agree that the state simply isn’t building enough homes to keep up with its booming population and economic growth.
The Texas House and Senate differ on how to cut property taxes. Here’s what their proposals say.
Read full article: The Texas House and Senate differ on how to cut property taxes. Here’s what their proposals say.Cuts to school property tax bills. Bigger tax benefits for homeowners. A controversial idea to limit property tax growth. Here’s what you need to know about the brewing property tax debate at the Texas Legislature.
Texas renters got unprecedented help during the pandemic. The Legislature is unlikely to extend it.
Read full article: Texas renters got unprecedented help during the pandemic. The Legislature is unlikely to extend it.Lawmakers will decide whether to keep protections that shielded tenants from eviction — or to ban them.
Texas House’s property tax bill calls for $17 billion in cuts, tighter appraisal cap
Read full article: Texas House’s property tax bill calls for $17 billion in cuts, tighter appraisal capTexas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s proposal reveals the different roads the Texas House and Senate want to take on property taxes — and the fight that might emerge between the two chambers this session.
Mayors in some of Texas’ biggest cities face little opposition in May reelection bids
Read full article: Mayors in some of Texas’ biggest cities face little opposition in May reelection bidsSan Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker face little opposition in their reelection bids. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson doesn’t have any challengers.
Houston wanted to lead the nation in long-term affordable housing. Now it’s backpedaling.
Read full article: Houston wanted to lead the nation in long-term affordable housing. Now it’s backpedaling.Houston’s community land trust was once touted as an innovative way to address its housing crisis. But city leaders slashed its funding by half as bureaucracy bogged down the program and enthusiasm dwindled.
Cattleman Square Lofts affordable housing project gets $38 million in state tax credits
Read full article: Cattleman Square Lofts affordable housing project gets $38 million in state tax creditsThe multifamily project is one of the rare, fully-affordable apartment buildings that will be on offer in the downtown area.
Here’s what you need to know about the fight over property tax cuts in the Texas Legislature
Read full article: Here’s what you need to know about the fight over property tax cuts in the Texas LegislatureRepublicans are wrestling over how much of the state’s nearly $33 billion budget surplus to spend on property taxes. Democrats have their own ideas about what to do with the cash.
Texas shelters prepare for twin emergencies: arctic cold and an increase in migrants
Read full article: Texas shelters prepare for twin emergencies: arctic cold and an increase in migrantsCities and nonprofits are using a variety of strategies to keep unhoused people warm. But some organizations warn they’re already at capacity as El Paso sends migrants across the state.
Austin voters elect Kirk Watson, who served as mayor two decades ago, to lead the city again
Read full article: Austin voters elect Kirk Watson, who served as mayor two decades ago, to lead the city againWatson, a former state senator who was Austin’s mayor from 1997 to 2001, pitched himself as a back-to-basics candidate who could ease the city’s growing affordability crisis.
On the margins of downtown San Antonio, a maligned neighborhood mobilizes to save itself
Read full article: On the margins of downtown San Antonio, a maligned neighborhood mobilizes to save itselfBorn of segregation and redlining, the near West Side has long been mostly Latino, mostly low-income. Redevelopment pressures are closing in, and neighbors are working to keep it affordable for some of the city’s poorest residents.
Why some Texas cities and counties had to return millions of dollars meant to help renters during the pandemic
Read full article: Why some Texas cities and counties had to return millions of dollars meant to help renters during the pandemicFor some local relief programs, a lack of staffing, political support and effective community outreach got in the way of spending federal funds to prevent evictions, a new report found. More than $30 million went unspent and had to be returned.
Herschel Walker, running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, still gets tax break on $3 million Texas residence
Read full article: Herschel Walker, running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, still gets tax break on $3 million Texas residenceUnder Texas law, homeowners can claim a homestead exemption only on their primary residence. The GOP Senate candidate registered to vote in Georgia last year.