For the first time in the city's history, a housing bond will appear on a citywide ballot in San Antonio.
"Next May, for the first time, San Antonio voters will be asked to approve a housing bond of significant size: $250 million to go toward the construction and preservation of new apartments and single-family homes, as well as the acquisition of property for future below-market housing, also known as land banking," reports Ben Olivo.
"The housing bond is part of the $1.2 billion 2022-2027 bond package, which will be filled with several dozen large-scale projects across the city—from repairing streets and sidewalks, to building new libraries and parks, to improving drainage issues," adds Olivo.
Voters last approved a major bond package in 2017, but this will be the first time that housing will be included in the laundry list of bond-financed projects.
According to Olivo, the $250 million amount "is pulled straight from the Housing Policy Framework, the 2018 report by the Mayor’s Housing Policy Task Force," though the funding proposals for the housing bond are still subject to change. The city's Strategic Housing Implementation Plan, which followed up the Task Force's report, will provide additional guidance on how to spend the bond funding, if it's approved by voters.
A recent analysis by Economic & Planning Systems estimated 96,000 cost burdened households in San Antonio.
FULL STORY: Massive $250M housing bond proposed for election next May
Nevada Earmarks $300 Million For Affordable Housing
The state's housing division has approved a $300 million bonding authority aimed at supporting more affordable housing construction.
San Antonio's Housing Equity Crisis Traced to Planning Roots
Lending and planning policies have split San Antonio residents into haves and haves for decades, according to a large feature published recently by the Rivard Report.
New Spending, Planning Approved to Address Affordable Housing Crisis in Columbus
Columbus approved an emergency allotment of capital improvement bond funding for housing, and the launch of an affordable housing strategy process.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)