City of San Antonio

San Antonio Housing Policy Framework
Mayor’s Housing Policy Task Force
(Subcontractor to Economic & Planning Systems)

2017 –2018

 Pavlik and Associates, working with Economic & Planning Systems (a national economic consulting firm) and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, charged the Housing Policy Task Force with creating a comprehensive and compassionate housing policy framework that “allows residents to live with dignity, age in place, rehabilitate their housing, and preserve the integrity of their neighborhoods. “The task force also described its work as an intentional, transparent, and inclusive process, grounded in community and complete with bold policy recommendations.

The final report considered San Antonio’s history, over 20 local housing studies/reports, analysis of demographic, economic, and market data, housing plans from cities across the U.S., and engagement with over 500 community members over a period of 11 months. The study was not limited to a segment of the housing market; this was a whole-system analysis for all San Antonians.

The five-member Mayor’s Housing Task Force was assisted by 10 city council members, 119 technical working group members across five distinct groups (including 21 members in the Special Needs Populations working group), 14 lead support city staff, a further 11 city departments, and seven consultant teas. Pavlik was placed in charge of coordinating and overseeing this massive team.

The task force and stakeholders identified five key actions along with a set of recommendations and implementation steps infused with theoretical, practical, and boots-on-the-ground thinking:

1. Develop a coordinated housing system
2. Increase City investment in housing with a 10-year funding plan
3. Increase affordable housing production, rehabilitation, and preservation
4. Protect and promote neighborhoods
5. Ensure accountability to the public

The policies along with the implementation plan as presented were actionable, impactful, and enabled increased neighborhood resiliency and economic prosperity.

At the conclusion of the study, Mayor Nirenberg said, “As a result of the Task Force’s work, for the first time in the City’s history, City Council is finally making housing a core priority, so that as San Antonio grows up, San Antonians will not be priced out. Working together, we will ensure San Antonio remains the place we can all call home.”