AGENDA - San Antonio Housing Authority

San Antonio Housing Authority May 16, 2013leveraging and concentration of resources to have an immediate visible impact. The plan willtarget Hays to the south of the development, as well as the blocks along Gevers to the west andalong Hudson to the east. As the redevelopment progresses, the focused neighborhoodboundaries will expand annually block-by-block to the west and south. These streets carrycritical bus routes, provide essential links in San Antonio’s bicycle master plan, and, withimprovements, can offer residents a convenient walk to schools, churches, and other amenities.The Transformation Plan includes neighborhood strategies that: promote infill housing andrepurposing of sub-standard vacant lots; improve the real and perceived sense of security bydeterring gang activity; implement “hot spot” policing along routes to schools; decrease thenumber of stray animals and educate residents about available spay and neutering services;and improve streetscape and lighting.An additional tool of the “focused neighborhood” approach is COSA’s owner-occupiedrehabilitation program. SAHA, in partnership with COSA and other non-profit affordable housinggroups, will make a concerted effort to recruit qualifying homeowners into the focus area. Inaddition to these efforts, SAHA will set aside Choice Neighborhoods “Critical CommunityImprovement” dollars, to assist interested homeowners who may not qualify through the currentowner-occupied rehab program but are in dire need of these services.The Neighborhood plan also includes strategies to promote economic activity through two largeand four small community events that encourage art, entertainment and community, and avenue for small business vendors to showcase their goods and services. It also calls for workingcollaboratively with SAGE, to recruit and retain businesses to the area, and to work incollaboration with the City and area Chambers of Commerce to create incentives for businessesto locate to the area. Through these combined efforts, it is expected that: incomes in the areawill improve through increased employment and job training; new residents will be attracted topurchase and/or rent units; the value of housing will increase; and an increased sense ofpersonal safety will be achieved.The success of the Transformation Plan lies not only in a sound plan but also in the ability toobtain and leverage funds. The redevelopment plan relies heavily on obtaining Low IncomeHousing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which have become increasingly competitive and difficult toobtain. Changes in the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) now makes it necessary to prove, in order to obtain additionalpoints, that the development plan has been approved or adopted by ordinance, resolution, orother vote by the Governing Body with jurisdiction over the area covered by the plan in aprocess that allows for public input and/or comment.At this time, staff is requesting that the Operations and Human Resources Committee approvemoving forward with the draft Eastside Choice Transformation Plan so that it may be: presentedto the City of San Antonio’s Planning Commission on May 22, 2013; submitted to HUD by theJune 30, 2013 Choice Planning Grant deadline; approved by the SAHA Board ofCommissioners at the June Board meeting; and for ultimate presentation and adoption by theCity Council.FINANCIAL IMPACT:NoneATTACHMENTS:Resolution 5349Draft Wheatley Choice Transformation Plan