AGENDA - San Antonio Housing Authority

San Antonio Housing Authority May 16, 2013As a result of these efforts, a Transformation plan was created based on the following sixprinciples:A safe neighborhoodQuality services and sitesDiverse and affordable housing choicesNeighborhood ReinvestmentInvestment in our neighborsA healthy, walkable communityThe Eastside Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan provides a vision and overallframework for guiding revitalization efforts over the next 10 years. Implementing the plan willinvolve actions, big and small, by a collaborative host of partners, including SAHA, the City ofSan Antonio (COSA), private developers, and non-profit entities. More important,implementation efforts must take place equally across the three Choice Neighborhoodcategories of People, Housing and Neighborhood.Urban Strategies Inc., will serve as the lead agency for implementation of all efforts under“People”. They will launch comprehensive case management services, coordinate casemanagement policies and procedures, and initiate partnerships with service providers. Thisincludes increasing job training, education, employment and contracting opportunities. SAHA’sintent is to foster equitable employment and business opportunities for low- and very lowincomeindividuals, especially SAHA residents and programs participants, and to provideopportunities through Moving To work initiatives for upward economic mobility and selfsufficiency.As a result, SAHA will encourage and solicit the full participation of Section 3residents for employment with SAHA and its contractors. SAHA will also require contractors tomeet new hiring goals and provide training opportunities.Family wellness is another critical aspect of the People component. The overall physical andemotional health of a family is often improved through family service programming, to includeworking with neighborhood schools, marital and familial strengthening, parenting, financialliteracy and money management, housing, and other counseling services. Programs will bepursued through partnerships with Family Services Association and other partner organizationsoffering applicable services. Urban Strategies will also coordinate relocation services to supportthe revitalization schedule.McCormack Baron Salazar, serving as lead under the “housing” component, will redevelopWheatley Courts in four phases, to include three family phases, two on-site, and one off-site,and a senior development located on site in the heart of the new development. Theredevelopment proposes a total of 591 new mixed-income multi-family and senior units thatmeet Build San Antonio Green Level II and provide for an assortment of amenities, to includeenergy saving appliances, a swimming pool, a 2.5-acre park and community center on site. Theplan is also committed to one-for-one replacement of public housing units. Currently the plancalls for 202 Public Housing replacement units and 44 Section 8 Project Based Units, 137market units, and 208 affordable units built using Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The siteplan highlights two- and three-story townhouses and walk-up garden apartments. The buildingsare positioned so that front doors and porches face the street, which provides for more “eyes’ onthe street and encourages community interaction. SAHA, MBS and COSA will partner tocoordinate the redevelopment phasing plan with the city’s infrastructure improvement plan tomaximize funding and impact.SAHA will lead the Neighborhood component of the plan, and partner with COSA to completethe multi-faceted work. The plan calls for a “focused neighborhood,” which will require the