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>> MUNGIA: GOOD MORNING. THE TIME IS NOW 10:04 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 24TH, 2026. AND THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU. FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA ARE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? AND IF NOT, CAN I GET A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. THERE'S A MEXICO AND A MOTION AND A SECOND. IF YOU AGREE, SAY AYE (AYE)S THE MOTION PASSES. IRDO WANT TO SAY WE HAVE A NEW LIAISON TO THE COMMUNITY, JUSTINA TATE. WE THANK JOHN FOR HIS SERVICE. AND SO WE'RE GOING TO GO ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
MADAM CLERK R THERE ANY CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK FOR INDIVIDUAL COMMENT CLERKDZ TWO INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
FIRST INDIVIDUAL IS PETE BERNAL. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. OKAY. GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMAN AND COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. THIS IS A MOMENT IN TIME TO SPEAK. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE VETERANS ISSUES THAT'S IN ITEM NUMBER 3. I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN -- WE'RE TRYING TO GET THIS POLICY PASSED. I'M GOING TO KEEP COMING AND PROBABLY GOING TO BE A PAIN IN THE BUTT SOMETIMES JUST BECAUSE I I'M REALLY ADAMANT ABOUT PUSHING THIS POLICY OR ORDINANCE TO PREVENT THE DISCRIMINATION OF VETS USING THE VOUCHER, IT'S ORGANIZED BY THE VA.
THIS HELPS GETS VETS OFF THE STREETS. IT HELPS THEM GET TO AREAS WHERE THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GET. IT'S NOT ABOUT JUST HAVING ACCESS TO THE HOSPITALS, IT'S BEING ABLE TO CHOOSE WHERE DO YOU LIVE. I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE -- WE ARE PEOPLE LIKE MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT DO USE THIS ARE GRUNTS.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE HAVE NOT OFFICERS, THEY'RE NOT RETIRE'S, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT JUST CAN'T GET THE LEG UP OFF THE STREET.
AND THIS REALM, IF YOU USE THE VASH POLICY VOUCHER, WE WOULD GO FROM 200 PLACES TO LIVE TO OVER TWO OR 3,000 PLACES TO LIVE IN THE AREA OF SAN ANTONIO. ONCE WE CAN START HERE, WE CAN EXPAND IT, TRY TO GET TO IT A STATE LEVEL, NATIONAL LEVEL, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE I SEE US AS MILITARY USA, AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A POLICY THAT CAN HELP PROGRESS OURSELVES IN BEING THAT -- PART OF THAT.
I SPOKE TO ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS. WE'VE BEEN VISITING EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY'S ON IT, FOR IT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GO FORWARD SOMETIME SOON, SO THAT WAY IT CAN BE SEEN AS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S ALL INCLUSIVE. ALL INCLUSIVE MEANS THAT EVERYBODY JUMPED IN ON THIS TO SUPPORT VETS. IT'S HARD TO SEE WITH ALL THE STUFF THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE PAICH PERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ALL CAN JUMP IN ON AND SAY THAT
Y'ALL DID IT TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.
EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU FOR BEING -- I'M SORRY, I'M SHORT.
ANYWAY, GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS MOMENT. I AM ALSO WITH THE AMERICAN GI FORUM, MY CITY IS MY HOME, AND I KNOW THAT I HAVE BEEN SENDING THESE AND BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A PAIN TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE. WE'VE MET WITH CITY COUNCIL, EVERY MEMBER ON THIS -- THE CITY COUNCIL.
I'VE MET ALSO WITH THE MAYOR HERSELF AND WE'RE GETTING READY -- I SPOKE TO MRS. ALEJANDRO TO RESEND THIS AGAIN. THIS IS A POLICY THAT NEEDS TO BE -- ABOUT THE VETERANS, REMOVED AND STAND ALONE FROM ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE APARTMENTS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST THE APARTMENTS THAT WE ARE SEEKING EXTENSION, IT ALSO GOES TO HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE RENTING THEIR PROPERTIES. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE VETERANS BE ABLE TO LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE CITY THAT THEY CHOOSE TO.
AS LONG AS THEY HAVE A VOUCHER AND THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT, THE REST OF IT, THEY'RE ALSO BEING SCRUTINIZED BY THEIR OWN CASE WORKERS, SO I DON'T SEE WHY WE WOULDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.
IT'S HONESTLY KIND OF LIKE A STAND-ALONE THING, BECAUSE WE ARE CONSIDERED MILITARY CITY, SO WHY AREN'T WE SUPPORTING THEM IN ANY PLACE THAT THEY CAN AND CHOOSE TO LIVE? IT'S NOT ABOUT JUST THE VETERAN AFFAIRS HOSPITALS
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OR MEDICAL CENTERS, IT'S ALSO ABOUT SCHOOLS, BUS ROUTES, SHOPPING, ANY OF THOSE THINGS. AND IF WE CAN DO THAT AND GET MORE OF THEM OFF THE STREET AND INTO THE CITY AND BECOMING PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOW GOTTEN OUR RESPECT, IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL. SO I'M GOING TO SEND MY INFORMATION ONCE AGAIN TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS WILL SUPPORT THIS STANDING ALONE AS ITS OWN ISSUE AND SUPPORT THE VETERANSOF THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO SPOKE TODAY. OKAY.
WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 2, WHICH IS ON -- THIS IS THE CONSENT AGENDA IN DISTRICT FOUR. CAN I GET A MOTION? THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
(AYES.) >> MUNGIA: ALL THOSE OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES.
CONSENT AGENDA IS OVER WITH. OKAY.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER THREE. MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU
PLEASE READ THE CAPTION. >> CLERK: ITEM NUMBER 3 IS A BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION ON INCREASING HOUSING SUPPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES, VET VETERANS SEEKING TO UTILIZE HOUSING VOUCHERS WITHIN 5 MILES OF A VETERAN AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE FACILITY, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, NOTABLY THE DEAF AND BLIND, OLDER ADULTS AND LGBTQ PLUS YOUTH
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. >> GARCIA: CODE MORNING, CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS. VERONICA GARCIA, HOUSING DEPARTMENT. THIS MORNING WE WILL BE PROVIDING A BRIEFING ON THE SPECIAL HOUSING SUPPLY TASK FORCE WORK. OUR GOAL TODAY IS TO SHARE THE INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TASK FORCE AND HEAR FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL AS WE WORK TO FINALIZE THIS REPORT.
MANY, MANY THANKS TO THE NUMEROUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND STAKEHOLDERS WHO HELPED INFORM THE WORK. SEVERAL ARE JOINED THIS MORNING, INCLUDING SALSA, FRANKLINS AND THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION, MANY THANKS TO OUR SPEAKER FROM THE AMERICAN GI FORUM AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITY HOME, AMONG OTHERS. IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, MAYOR JONES REQUESTED THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO CREATE A TASK FORCE SO THAT -- TO LOOK AT INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE HOUSING SUPPLY FOR FOUR SPECIFIC POPULATIONS INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE VISION AND HEARING-IMPAIRED, OLDER ADULTS, LGBTQ PLUS UNHOUSED YOUTH AND VETERANS WITH HOUSING VOUCHERS. THE TASK FORCE IS STAFFED BY OUR TEAM AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH SUPPORT FROM HOMELESS SERVICES AND THE HOUSING TRUST, THE TRICHAIRS OF THE TASK FORCE INCLUDE MYSELF, PETE ALANIZ AND MARK CARMONA AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PCDC, WE ARE UTILIZING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION AND THE RENTAL ENGAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE TO CONNECT TO HOUSING OR REACH INITIATIVE THAT HAS HELPED INFORM THE WORK AND HELPED US REACH AS MANY STAKEHOLDERS AS POSSIBLE. THE SPECIAL HOUSING SUPPLY WORK INVOLVES SEVERAL DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO HELP COLLECT INFORMATION THAT FORMED THESE INITIAL RECOMMENDATION.
OVERALL THE TASK FORCEEN GAMINGED 35 STAKEHOLDER ORGANIZATIONS, WE HOSTED PANEL DISCUSSION FOCUSED WITH EACH OF THESE GROUPS AND PANELISTS INCLUDE ADVOCATES, PROFESSIONALS WHO SUPPORT THE GROUP AS WELL AS PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES. WE ALSO CONDUCTED SEVERAL SITE VISITS AND MET WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND HEARD DIRECTLY FROM INDIVIDUALS OF THESE POPULATIONS. WE HOSTED DIGITAL SURVEY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND RECEIVED OVER 350 RESPONSES, MOSTLY FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES. WE ALSO HAD AN EXHIBIT AT OUR HOUSING IN SAN ANTONIO EVENT LAST MONTH, AND WE CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND FOUND CASE STUDIES HIGHLIGHTING BEST PRACTICES FROM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
WHILE TODAY'S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED ON ALL OF THESE EFFORTS, THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT FINAL. YOUR FEEDBACK IS CRITICAL TO HELPING ENSURE THE FINAL REPORT REFLECTS THE PRIORITIES OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE WELCOME YOUR THOUGHTS. THIS MORNING I'LL HE HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW OF THE CASE STUDIES THAT WILL BE SHARED IN THE FINAL REPORT, AND THESE REALLY SHOWCASE THE WORK BEING DONE NATIONALLY TO SERVE THE SAME POPULATIONS WE ARE SEEKING TO HELP.
ONE THING THE OTHER CITIES HAVE IN COMMON, WHILE THEY'RE SERVING DIFFERENT GROUPS, IS THAT THEY'RE NOT JUST RELYING ON CITY FUNDS, THEY'RE LOOKING ACROSS SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES, SEVERAL DIFFERENT PARTNERS. MANY HAVE USED LOCAL HOUSING, LOCAL BONDS TO SUPPORT THE WORK, BUT THEY ALSO UTILIZED MAYBE DONATED LAND OR FACILITIES, FEDERAL OR STATE DOLLARS. VETERANS USING HOUSING VOUCHERS, THE CHARLIE BUSH BUILDING IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK, REPURPOSED A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A DEVELOPER AND VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FINAL
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PRODUCT REALLY MET THOSE SERVICES. FOR PAUL HIGH LAND IN ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO IS AN APARTMENT DESIGNED FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND COMMUNITY, DESIGN ELEMENTS INCLUDE MULTISENSORY ALARMS, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FLUENT EVENTS, SENSORY PLAY AS WELL AS MANY OTHER FEATURES TARGETED TO THE POPULATION. THE APPLETON IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SERVES OLDER ADULTS AND WAS AN ADAPTIVE REUSE OF A CITY-OWNED BUSINESS THAT HAD SERVICES ON SITE TO REALLY HELP ENSURE OLDER ADULTS WERE SUPPORTED AND FINALLY THE ALLEY FORNEY CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF SAFE LIVING SPECIFICALLY FOR LGBTQ PLUS YOUTH, THE COMMUNITY HAS PERMANENT SUPPORTED HOUSING WITH SHARED COMMON SPACES WITH ONGOING RENTAL ASSISTANCE. SO FROM OUR INITIAL FINDINGS, WE ARE RECOMMENDING LOOKING AT IN TOTAL ADDING OVER 3200 HOMES TO HELP EACH OF THESE SPECIAL POPULATIONS.THIS INCLUDES 250 HOMES ACCESSIBLE TO VETERAN VOUCHER HOLDERS NEAR THE MEDICAL CENTER AND ALONG TRANSIT LINES. ALSO AN ADDITIONAL 500 HOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SPECIFICALLY BLIND AND OUR DEAF NEIGHBORS, ADDING 2400 NEW AGE-RESTRICTED HOMES AND ADDING 100 SUPPORTIVE HOMES FOR LGBTQ PLUS UNHOUSED YOUTH.
COLLECTIVELY, THESE WOULD BE DEVELOPED OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS. SO TO GO INTO SOME OF OUR INITIAL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, I'LL START WITH THE VETERANS WITH HOUSING VOUCHERS.
VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR VASH VOUCHERS IS PROVIDED BY HUD AND VETERANS AFFAIRS. THESE VOUCHERS COMBINE RENTAL ASSISTANT WITH VA CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO HELP PEOPLE STAY HOUSED. WHEN WE SPOKE WITH A LOT OF THE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WE FOUND -- VOUCHER, THERE ARE LIMITED FUNDS FOR VOUCHERS AND LIMITED CASE MANAGERS, SO THE AMOUNT OF VOUCHERS TO HELP VETERANS IS VERY LIMITED. IN ADDITION, VETERANS EXPRESS DIFFICULTY FINDING A HOME THAT WOULD ACCEPT THE VASH VOUCHERS, AND FINDING A HOME WITH THE RIGHT AMENITIES, SUPPORTS AND IN THE RIGHT LOCATION.
AGAIN, THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO LIVE THROUGHOUT THE CITY, THEY WANT TO BE LOCATED NEAR SERVICES, INCLUDING MEDICAL SERVICES, TRANSIT LINES AND MORE. SO PRACTICAL PROGRESS IN THE NEXT YEAR COULD LOOK LIKE PARTNERING W BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE ORGANIZATIONS REALLY TO CREATE MORE HOUSING FOR THIS COMMUNITY, WE WOULD LOOK AT HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER TO MARKET WHAT HOUSING OPTIONS THERE ARE DIRECTLY TO VETERANS, SO MAKING SURE THEY KNOW OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT SERVE THEM, COMMUNITIES THAT ACCEPT VOUCHERS AND COMMUNITIES HELPIING IDENTIFY WHEN THEY'RE COMING AVAILABLE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE WOULD LOOK AT SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT MEET VETERANS' NEEDS AND IDENTIFYING WAYS TO INCREASE VETERAN AFFAIRS CASE MANAGEMENT AT CAPACITY.
AGAIN, SINCE CASE MANAGERS ARE LIMITED, HOW CAN WE PERHAPS COLOCATE VETERANS WITH VOUCHERS IN ONE FACILITY, SO THAT THE CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT NEEDED BY THE VA DOES HAVEN'T TO GO ACROSS THE CITY, IT CAN BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT IF LOCATED IN ONE PLACE. THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE.
WE ALSO WANT TO WORK TO EDUCATE PROPERTY MANAGERS ON THE BENEFITS OF ACCEPTING VOUCHERS, SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS.
AND, OF COURSE, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE PROPERTY MANAGERS TO ACCEPT THEM. AND THEN WE WOULD LOOK AT HOW WE CAN SUPPORT DESIGN ELEMENTS AS WELL AS HOME MODIFICATIONS TO HELP MAKE AS MANY HOMES ACCESSIBLE FOR VETERANS AS POSSIBLE. AS WE LOOK FURTHER OUT TO THE LONGER TERM, MAYBE IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WE WOULD LOOK AT HOW WE COULD ACTUALLY ACQUIRE LAND FOR FUTURE VETERAN-FOCUSED HOUSING COMMUNITIES NEAR TRANSIT AND/OR THE MEDICAL CENTERS.
WE COULD EXPLORE HOW WE WORK WITH PARTNERS TO CREATE THESE HOUSING COMMUNITY, AND, OF COURSE, WORKING WITH IDENTIFYING NONPROFIT PARTNERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN MASTER LEASING. MANY VETERANS WHO HAVE A HOUSING VOUCHER MAY HAVE A COMPLICATED RENTAL HISTORY, AND ENSURING THAT WE B WORK WITH A PROPER TO MASTER LEASE SEVERAL VETERANS AND MAYBE SUBLEASE THEM TO VETERANS CAN ALSO HELP RELIEVE SOME CHALLENGES. SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH VISION AND HEARING RELATED DISABILITIES, THEY, TOO, FACE MANY UNIQUE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING FINDING A HOME WITHIN THEIR BUDGET.
MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE FIXED INCOME RELYING ON FEDERAL PROGRAMS, FINDING A HOME THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE TO THEM, AGAIN, WITH THOSE MODIFICATIONS THAT ARE NEEDED AND SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE SPECIFIC DISABILITIES, WE'VE ALSO HEARD THAT IT CAN BE FOR BOTH THE PERSON ACCESSING THE HOUSING AS WELL AS ON THE DEVELOPER'S SIDE, BUILDING NEW OR MODIFYING EXISTING PROJECTS CAN BE EXPENSIVE.
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AND FOR THE INDIVIDUALS LOOKING TO RENT, THEY MAY BE ASKED TO CHANGE IT ONCE TO MEET THEIR NEEDS AND THEN CHANGE IT BACK TO STANDARD FEATURES WHEN THEY'RE DONE. THEN WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT CHALLENGES WITH JUST EVEN HAVING THE MARKETING AND THE LEASING MATERIALS NOT ALWAYS USABLE FOR DEAF AND BLIND APPLICANTS. SO RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONSIDER FOR THE NEXT YEAR WOULD BE HELPING PEOPLE REALLY ACCESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SO WORKING WITH PROPERTY MANAGERS TO CREATE MATERIALS IN BRAILLE OR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND HOW WE CAN CREATE BOTH THE LEASING MATERIALS AND MARKETING MATERIALS, SO THEY'RE USE USABLE.WE WOULD LOOK AT HOW WE CAN LOOK AT OUR OWN CITY-INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND INCLUDING MORE ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS THAN MAYBE WE HAVE TODAY, SO MAYBE IN WHAT OPTIONS THERE COULD BE FOR OUR NEXT ROUND OF GAP FUNDING. WE COULD LOOK AT BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHAT OUR EXISTING CODE IS AND THE CHALLENGES FOR CREATING THESE HOMES AND HOW POSSIBLE RECOMMENDED CODE CHANGES TO ADDRESS THOSE AND REALLY STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING PROCESS. WE ALSO COULD LOOK AT DEVELOPING A LIST OF ADA ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THESE COMMUNITIES AND MAKING THAT EASILY AVAILABLE TO PROPERTY MANAGERS AND DEVELOPERS.
FINALLY, WE WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT HOW WE BRING IN ADDITIONAL PARTNERS WHO CAN HELP FUND HOUSING THAT COULD BE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, MAYBE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO MAY HAVE LAND OR RESOURCES THAT COULD BE CONTRIBUTED TO A FUTURE PROJECT, AS WELL AS SPEAKING WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN HELPING IN THIS SPACE. LOOKING FURTHER OUT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WE WOULD WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY FIND HOMES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE BY, AGAIN, HELPING INCREASE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING HOUSING THAT IS ACCESSIBLE.
RIGHT NOW IF YOU USE STATE TAX FUNDING, TAX CREDITS, THE REQUIREMENT IS 2% OF UNITS ARE ADA ACCESSIBLE, AND SO WE COULD LOOK AT HOW WE COULD MAYBE INCREASE THAT REQUIREMENT SPECIFICALLY IF YOU'RE RECEIVING CITY INCENTIVES. WE COULD LOOK AT HOW WE EXPLORE OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO MAKE HOMES MORE ACCESSIBILITY, SO EXPLORING FUTURE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR THAT, AND THEN LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN TAKE UNITS THAT DO HAVE THESE ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES AND REDUCE THE TIME THEY ARE VACANT. AGAIN THAT, TIES BACK TO HELPING ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD UTILIZE THESE HOMES KNOW ABOUT THEM AS SOON AS THEY COME ONLINE. AND THEN FINALLY, ANY CHANGES THAT WE WOULD MAKE TO THE CODE OR ANY NEW MARKETING MATERIALS OR LEASING MATERIALS THAT WE COULD HELP COCREATE, WE'D WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OUR PARTNERS ARE WELL AWARE AND HAVE THE INFORMATION EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO DISTRIBUTE. NEXT MOVING ON TO OLDER ADULTS, WE FIND THAT THEY ALSO FACE MULTIPLE HOUSING CHALLENGES, SUCH AS REDUCED INCOMES, RISING LIVING EXPENSES WHEN THEY LIVE ON FIXED INCOMES, AND, OF COURSE, CHALLENGES WITH TRANSPORTATION.
AS PEOPLE AGE, OLDER ADULTS TYPICALLY ADJUST THEIR LIVING SITUATION, THEY MAY NEED TO AGE IN PLACE AND HELP WITH MODIFYING THEIR HOME, THEY MAY CHOOSE TO SHARE THEIR HOME WITH OTHERS OR EVEN DOWNSIZE INTO A SMALLER HOME. UPDATING HOMES FOR ACCESSIBILITY MAY BE COSTLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME, AND FINDING ANOTHER HOME THAT'S WITHIN BUDGET AND HAS THESE MODIFICATIONS ALSO CAN BE A LIMIT.
SO TO LOOK AT HOW WE ADD 2400 NEW AGE-RESTRICTED HOMES IN THE NEXT YEAR, AGAIN, IT'S ALL ABOUT WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS, SEE HOW WE CAN CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING. I WANT TO FOCUS ON UPDATING OUR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, AGAIN, TO REQUIRE MORE ACCESS NLT WHERE IT MAKES SENSE. LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN HELP IDENTIFY VACANT PROPERTIES THAT COULD BE ADAPTED FOR THESE SPECIFIC HOUSING POPULATIONS. AND LOOKING AT HOW WE WORK AND ENSURE THAT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CREATED HAVE ON-SITE SERVICES FOCUSED TO SERVE OLDER ADULTS, MAYBE FOOD PANTRIES, GROUP EXERCISES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN ENCOURAGE MORE DENSITY TO DEVELOP HOUSING ALONG TRANSIT LINES TO ADDRESS THOSE TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES, AND, AGAIN, ALL ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIPS, HOW DO WE BRING IN PARTNERS WHICH COULD INCLUDE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AMERICAN AGENCY FOR RETIRED PERSON OR MORE LOCALLY THE RETIRED COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS. IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS WE'D LOOK AT HOW WE CAN SERVE OLDER ADULTS IF THEY WANT TO DOWNSIZE WHERE THEY LIVE, THIS COULD LOOK LIKE EXPLORING INCENTIVES FOR DIFFERENT HOUSING MODELS. WE STARTED THIS PROCESS WITH THE CASITAS, WE'RE EXPLORING HOW WE CAN ENCOURAGE MORE MIDDLE-TYPE HOUSING, THINGS LIKE THAT. WE CAN LOOK AT HOW WE EXPLORE A HOME-SHARING PLATFORM, SO OLDER ADULTS CAN EITHER MAKE THEIR HOME AVAILABLE TO SHARE, AGAIN, PROVIDING SUPPORTS ON SITE WHERE THEY LIVE AND LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN EXPLORE DOWN THE ROAD FUTURE INCENTIVES THAT COULD BE REPURPOSING OUR EXISTING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN HELP COVER HOME
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MODIFICATIONS BUT EVEN EXTENDING THAT TOENT ARE L HOMES.GOING FORWARD WE WANT TO LOOK AT HOW WE CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REALLY WITH THE FOCUS OF SERVING OLDER ADULTS, LOOKING AT MAYBE ADAPTIVE REUSE OF OUR EXISTING PROPERTIES OR PARTNER PROPERTIES. LAST CATEGORY, WE LOOKED AT WAS SERVING LGBTQ PLUS YOUTH, THEY FACE NUMEROUS CHALLENGES, INCLUDING FINDING AFFORDABLE OPTIONS WITH NEEDED SUPPORTS. THEY OFTENTIMES HAVE LOW WAGES, COULD BE UNSTABLE EMPLOYMENT, SO COULD BE DIFFICULT TO FIND THAT HOUSING STABILITY. MANY OF THEM ARE NAVIGATING LIFE WITHOUT FAMILY SUPPORT AND THE AVAILABILITY OF OPTIONS THAT HAVE CONGREGATE COMMUNITY-STYLE LIVING, AGAIN AN AFFORDABLE PLACE WITH AFFIRMATIVE SETTINGS, THAT ALSO IS LIMITED IN OUR COMMUNITY. TO REALLY HELP THIS POPULATION SECURE AND MAINTAIN HOUSING, WE WOULD LOOK AT WHAT POLICIES WE CAN SUPPORT THAT WOULD HELP YOUTH. WE WOULD LOOK AT HOW, AGAIN, WE DIRECTLY MARKET ANY NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES THAT SERVE YOUNG ADULTS, MAYBE WORKING WITH NONPROFITS THAT SERVE THEM AND HELP REALLY BRIDGE THAT GAP IN CONNECTING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND WE CAN ALSO LOOK AT WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE ALREADY EXPLORED HOST HOMES, HOME SHARING AND OTHER OPTIONS LIKE THAT, MAYBE SEEING HOW THAT CAN CONTINUE TO WORK. AND, OF COURSE, WORKING WITHIN OUR CASITA PROGRAM, MAYBE SOME OF THOSE COULD BE AFFORDABLE OPTIONS SPECIFICALLY FOR THESE POPULATIONS. WE ALSO COULD EXPLORE NEW PROGRAMS THAT CREATE HOUSING, AGAIN, HELPING NONPROFITS WHO MAY WANT TO PILOT A MASTER LEASING, WHERE THEY ASSUME THE LEASE AND MAKE THE LEASE AVAILABLE TO YOUTH. AND WORKING WITH PARTNERS WHO, AGAIN, MAY WANT TO PILOT SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES. LOOKING AHEAD IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WE COULD HELP BUILD DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR TRANSIT SPECIFICALLY WITH THE FOCUS ON SERVING YOUTH.
SOME OF OUR PARTNERS INCLUDING OUR HOUSING TRUST HAVE ALREADY STARTED ECTS PLOARING THAT MODEL -- UTILIZING ONGOING RENTAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS PROJECT-BASED VOUCHERS TO HELP KEEP HOWSESING AFFORDABLE WITH ONGOING SUBSIDIES, SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS POPULATION. THE PCDC MEMBERS, YOU ALL ASKED US TO LOOK AT A FIFTH CATEGORY, WHICH WAS JUSTICE-INVOLVED POPULATION, SO WE WENT AHEAD AND HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION, BIG HOMIE STREET MENTORING, AS WELL AS ALL OF US OR NONE.
WE LEARNED A LOT. WE ALSO GOT ABOUT 4% OF OUR SURVEY RESPONDENTS MENTIONED THAT THEY HAD A JUSTICE-INVOLVEMENT IN SOME WAY OR FORM.
WE HEARD THAT SPECIFICALLY TO HELP THIS GROUP, WE WERE LOOKING FOR CONGREGATE HOMES NEAR TRANSIT, ENSURING THERE ARE WRAP AROUND SUPPORTS OR SERVICES EITHER ON SITE OR NEARBY, AND, OF COURSE, LOOKING AT WHAT FLEXIBLE LEASING POLICIES COULD BE ADOPTED. FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, WE WERE ASKED TO WORK ON REENTRY, EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING.
WE KNOW THAT WE IN THE CITY AND OUR PARTNERS CAN DO A LOT LOCALLY, BUT THERE ARE LIMITS TO WHAT WE HAVE AT OUR LOCAL LEVEL, SO WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE ACTION, SO ADVOCACY WE CAN DO AT BOTH THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL.
FEDERALLY, WE'D WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE HOUSING VOUCHERS AND CASE MANAGERS, AGAIN, INCREASING THAT AVAILABILITY AND SUPPLY.
LOOKING FOR HOW WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR MORE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR TRANSIT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND LOOKING HOW WE CAN ACCESS SPECIALTY VOUCHER PROGRAMS MORE LOCALLY. WE'D ALSO WANT TO ADVOCATE TO USE EXISTING FUNDING TO HELP FOSTER YOUTH WITH VOUCHERS AND CONTINUE TO KEEP THOSE SUPPORTS IN PLACE, OR EVEN EXPAND THEM.
FOR OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR INVESTMENT IN DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE DO ANNUALLY, BUT NOW WE WOULD SPECIFICALLY LOOK AT HOW WE CAN INCREASE HOUSING TAX CREDITS THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE OR OTHER STATE FUNDING TOOLS, HOW WE COULD ADVOCATE FOR THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID OR USING MEDICAID WAIVERS TO HELP WITH HOUSING COSTS. AND, OF COURSE, LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN ADVOCATE TO INCREASE THE REQUIRED MINIMUMS FOR ACCESSIBLE UNITS IN ANY STATE-INCENTIVIZED PROPERTIES.
SO AFTER GATHERING FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL TODAY, WE WANT TO INCORPORATE THAT TO WORK TOWARDS THE FUTURE COMPLETION OF THE REPORT, WHICH WE HOPE TO RELEASE AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH. THE RECOMMENDED FINAL ACTIONS WILL INCLUDE ACTIONS RELATED TO POLICY, LAND USE AND ZONING, BUILDING AND SITE DESIGN, AS WELL AS NEW AND NONTRADITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES. THIS WORK WILL ALSO BE COORDINATED WITH THE SHIP REFRESH, WHICH THAT WORK HAS STARTED, AND WE HOPE TO INCORPORATE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS INTO THE COUNCIL-ADOPTED SHIP AS WELL AS SPECIAL SUPPLIES HOUSING GOALS. OUR SHIP ALREADY HAS SPECIAL GOALS FOR OLDER ADULTS, AND MAYBE WE CAN EXPAND THAT TO ALL FOUR OF THESE CATEGORIES AND
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HOPING THAT HAPPENS AS EARLY AS AUGUST LATER THIS YEAR.THANK YOU, AGAIN. LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FEEDBACK SO WE CAN
CONTINUE OUR WORK IN THIS SPACE. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, VERONICA. THAT WAS AN AMAZING PRESENTATION, AND, YES,
LET'S GIVE IT UP. [APPLAUSE] >> MUNGIA: SO WHEN WE WERE GIVEN THIS CHARGE, I HAD TO COME UP WITH WHO WAS GOING TO CHAIR THIS TASK FORCE OUTSIDE OF THIS COMMITTEE AND I COULDN'T THINK OF ANYBODY BETTER THAN THESE THREE FOLKS, VERONICA, WHO, OF COURSE, IS WITH OUR HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MARK CARMONA, AND PETE ALANIZ FROM HOUSING TRUST.
I MEAN, THESE FOLKS ARE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS, AND WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM WORKING AT THE CITY, ADJACENT, AND THEY KNOW SO MUCH AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SO MANY THINGS ALREADY. SO I THINK THIS IS A GREAT TURNOUT. AS I SEE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE HERE TODAY WHO ARE STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS IS REALLY FANTASTIC. I THINK SOME OF THESE GROUPS HAVE CERTAIN -- THINK THIS IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD. TODAY FOR OUR COMMITTEE, WE ARE GIVING FEEDBACK AND WE WOULD HOPE THAT THIS WOULD BE RELEASED NEXT MONTH, MAYBE AT OUR PCDC MEETING AND HAVE A NICE ROLLOUT.
IT WOULD BE -- WE CAN GET TO WORK ON IT PRETTY QUICKLY.
I THINK THE AMERICAN GI FORUM HAS ALREADY TOLD US ABOUT A COUPLE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO RIGHT OFF THE BAT WITH THIS. AND ULTIMATELY, IT WOULD BE EMBEDDED INTO SHIP AND TO RECALIBRATE OUR GOALS FOR THE MIDPOINT IN THAT TENURE PLAN. SO WITH THAT, WE WILL LOOK FOR SOME FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY FEEDBACK? COUNCILMAN GALVAN? GHALZ THANK YOU, CHAIR.
THANK YOU, VERONICA FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT ARE HERE AND HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS PROCESS. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO SAY FIRST AND FOREMOST, WAS I'M GRATEFUL THIS IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE SHIP UPDATE. I THINK THAT'S REALLY HELPFUL TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MOVING ALONG ON NOT ONLY THOSE -- AUDIO] -- SITUATION WE'RE GOING INTO GIVEN OUR ECONOMY, GIVEN THE NEED FOR INCREASED HOUSING IN OUR GROWTH AND OUR CITY. SOMETHING I REALLY APPRECIATE ABOUT THIS WORK IN PARTICULAR IS THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, IT RECOGNIZES THAT IN THE ORIGINAL SHIP IT WAS A LOT OF FOCUS ON BUILDING MORE HOUSING WHEREVER WE CAN. I THINK THAT'S STILL VERY IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY, BUT ALSO LOOKING INTO THESE MICROMARKETS WHICH ARE SOMETIMES LEFT OUT OF THE CONVERSATION, WHEN YOU JUST BUILD HOUSING WITHOUT A THOUGHT PROCESS ABOUT WHAT IT CAN LOOK LIKE AND WHO IT CAN SERVE AND HOW TO REALLY GET TO THOSE DEEPER AFFORDABILITY OR THOSE SPECIFIC KIND OF NEEDS THERE, THIS IS WHERE I THINK WE SHOULD STEP IN AS A CITY AND TRY TO FIND WAYS TO REALLY SUPPORT IN THOSE ROLES.
SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS CONVERSATION. I THINK IT ALWAYS LEADS BACK TO THE SAME -- OR SIMILAR POINTS ABOUT -- AT LEAST FOR ME, ALWAYS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE SOME FORM OF REVOLVING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND THAT'S PRETTY ROBUST THAT WE CAN REALLY MOVE QUICKLY, ALONG WITH THE MARKET, SO WE CAN DRIFER ON THIS WORK, RIGHT? WHEN WE LOOK AT -- DELIVER ON THIS WORK. WHEN WE LOOK AT DIFFERENT INCENTIVES, MAKING SURE THE INCENTIVES ARE AS ROBUST AS POSSIBLE, IS REALLY NEEDED, TO MAKE SURE WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THIS WORK GOING.
SEW ALL THAT TO SAY, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT, AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE HOUSING BOND TO COME AROUND NEXT YEAR. THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE STILL GOING TO TALK ABOUT. I'LL LEAVE THAT THERE.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK, THOUGH, SPECIFICALLY TO THE VETERANS ONE, I KNOW IT MENTIONED FOCUSING IN AND AROUND THE MEDICAL CENTER, BUT I WANTED TO ASK IN THE CONVERSATIONS WITHIN THE STAKEHOLDER GROUP, WAS THERE ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE VA CLINIC OVER OFF ON 51?
>> GARCIA: YES, WE HEARD FROM NUMEROUS STAKEHOLDERS SPECIFICALLY BEING LOCATED NEAR THE VA, THE MEDICAL CENTER IN GENERAL WOULD BE
PREFERRED. >> GALVAN: THAT'S HELPFUL GARCIA DPARS AND TRANSIT, AGAIN, IS I THINK THE -- NOT ONLY JUST MEDICAL CENTERS BUT JUST HAVING
THAT ACCESS TO TRANSIT IS REALLY HELPFUL. >> GALVAN: RIGHT.
GOT IT. THAT'S HELPFUL. OF COURSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT WAYS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO ACCEPT VOUCHERS. I KNOW THAT'S AN ONGOING CONVERSATION RELATED TO VASH BUT OVERALL. I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK DONE SO FAR ON THAT.
I ALSO WANTED TO ASK, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT -- MAYBE A LITTLE BIT TOWARDS HOME OWNERSHIP, BUT DID Y'ALL EXPLORE -- MAYBE NOT ONLY WITHIN THIS STAKEHOLDER GROUP, BUT IN GENERAL, THE TEXAS HOME LIVING PROGRAM WITH MEDICAID, HOW THAT KIND OF RELATES TO INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY WITHIN THE HOME AND/OR -- WELL, ACCESSIBILITY FOR SENIORS, BUT ALSO FOR ANYBODY WITH DISABILITIES. HAS THAT BEEN SOMETHING Y'ALL HAVE
LOOKED INTO BEFORE? >> GARCIA: I'LL LET SARA.
I KNOW SHE'S BEEN WORKING A LOT WITH THIS PARTICULAR GROUP.
SO I'LL LET HER CHIME IN ON THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILMAN. YES, TEXAS HOME LIVING IS A PROGRAM THAT WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH. AND ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU'LL SEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS IS MEDICAID EXPANSION.
>> GALVAN: RIGHT. >> SO -- EXCUSE ME -- THAT'S NOT AN ACTION THAT TEXAS HAS TAKEN, BUT WERE THEY TO DO THAT, THEN THAT WOULD MEAN THAT
[00:30:05]
PEOPLE COULD QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID BASED ON INCOME ALONE, NOT JUST THEIR AGE OR THEIR DISABILITY STATUS. AND THAT COULD MAKE PROGRAMS LIKE TEXAS HOME LIVING ACCESSIBLE FOR HOMES, OR ALLOW DOCTORS TO EFFECTIVELY WRITE LIKE A PRESCRIPTION FOR RENT AND ALLOW MEDICAID TO BEBILLED FOR THAT. >> GALVAN: I SEE. DID Y'ALL LOOK INTO SPECIFICALLY THE KIND OF REPAIRS PROGRAMS AND ANY OF THE WAIVERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO FOLKS WHO HAVE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES VERSUS JUST
INTELLECTUAL? >> WE DID NOT LOOK INTO THOSE SPECIFICALLY.
>> GALVAN: I DON'T KNOW HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS EITHER.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING I'LL TRY TO FIGURE OUT, GET INFORMATION FROM ACOG, I THINK IT RELATES TO SOME OF THIS WORK HERE, WHILE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING MORE HOUSING UNITS, IF THERE'S WAYS THAT ALREADY HAVE A HOME, FINGERS CROSSED, RIGHT, TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN A HOME AS THEY AGE OR SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY IS ABLE TO STAY IN THE HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. LET ME SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE I WANTED TO MENTION. I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS LISTED OUT IN SLIDES 8, 9 AND 10.
SORRY, 7 THROUGH 10. YEAH, SO I'LL STOP THERE.
THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN GALVAN.
I JUST WANT TO ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE ONE OF OUR HOUSING TRUST BOARD MEMBERS IS HERE, JANE IS HERE. AND SHE -- ACTUALLY, I'M REMINDED, LOOKING AT HER, THAT SHE HAS BEEN WORKING ON SOMETHING, TOO, THAT I -- I DON'T KNOW IF I SAW IT IN HERE, VERONICA.
IF YOU CAN -- DID Y'ALL TALK ABOUT UNIVERSAL DESIGN ORDINANCES AND
KIND OF -- IS THAT IN HERE? >> GARCIA: WE DO.
IT'S PROBABLY WORDED A LITTLE MORE GENERALLY IN THE SLIDES, BUT LOOKING AT WHAT REQUIREMENTS WE COULD MAKE WITH ENSURING THAT HOMES ARE ACCESSIBLE. BUT IN OUR FINAL REPORT, WE'LL BE SURE TO CLARIFY, WE ARE SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO UNIVERSAL DESIGN.
WE HEARD FROM A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT EVEN BETTER DEFINING UNIVERSAL HOUSING DEFINE SIGN. PETE AND THE HOUSING FOUNDATION HAVE DONE A
LOT OF CREATING NEW STANDARDS FOR THAT. >> MUNGIA: SURE.
WE CAN JUST COPY AND PASTE. >> GARCIA: COPY AND
PASTE. >> MUNGIA: NO, I THINK WE SHOULD BE VERY CLEAR AND INTENTIONAL ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FOLKS WORKING ON THAT. AND SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY VALUABLE TO ADD TO IT. AND IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE MIGHT EXPECT TO CHANGE IN THE UDC PROCESS, BECAUSE THAT WILL ALSO COME TO THIS COMMITTEE,
SO COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO? >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU, VERONICA FOR THE PRESENTATION, AS WELL AS TO THE TRICARES AND ALL THE PARTICIPANTS OF THIS INITIATIVE.
GRATEFUL TO SEE WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE PLAN AND MUCH OF THIS WORK AND RECOMMENDATIONS COMPLIMENT MOST OF THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE WITH THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST. THANK YOU, PETE, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THERE. I DID WANT TO BUILD UPON OF THE CHAIR IN TERMS OF THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN ORDINANCE, I WOULD THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THIS COMMITTEE COULD CONSIDER AND ADOPT. I KNOW THE CHAIRMEN SHUNNED THAT JANE AND MANY COMMUNITY MENTIONED HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.
AND, OF COURSE, JUST COPY/PASTE. WE KNOW THAT DEVELOPERS ARE WILLING TO WORK AND ACCOMMODATE THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND IT HASN'T CREATED ANY ISSUES IN TERMS OF DEVELOPER, SO I'M EAGER FOR US TO VISIT AND ADOPT THAT ORDINANCE. IN TERMS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF INCREASING ACCESS TO VOUCHERS AND WORKING WITH LANDLORDS TO ACCEPT THOSE VOUCHERS. AND I THINK THAT COMPLIMENTS THE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST THAT MY TEAM AND I DRAFTED AND SUBMITTED, WENT TO GOVERNANCE IN OCTOBER, WHICH SESKLY WORKS TO FORMALIZE THE VOUCHER PROCESS AND EXPLORE HOW WE CAN INCENTIVIZE LANDLORDS, WHETHER IT'S A SINGLE FAMILY HOME OR A MULTIFAMILY UNIT TO ACCEPT VOUCHERS, WHICH, OF COURSE, WOULD HELP OUR VETERANS FIND ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SO MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN NEED OF HOUSING.
SO GRATEFUL FOR THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE COLLABORATION ON THAT CCR, BUT EAGER TO SEE FOR US TO VISIT THAT CONVERSATION ON HOW WE COULD FORMALIZE THAT PROCESS. AS MENTIONED AND LAID OUT IN THE PRESENTATION WITH THE JUSTICE-INVOLVED COMPONENT, TDC DOES PROVIDE FUNDING TO HELP WITH -- WHETHER IT'S THE HALFWAY HOUSES, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.
AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT A HALFWAY HOUSE IN DISTRICT THREE, AND THE ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAD AN INTERESTING MAKEUP IN TERMS OF THE BOARD, RIGHT, YOU HAD A CONSTRUCTIONAL OFFICER, YOU HAD A FAITH-BASED ORGANIZER AND ESSENTIALLY THEY WALKED ME THROUGH THE MODEL AND HOW INTENTIONAL THEY WERE WITH EVERY ROOM WITHIN THAT HOME.
AND THEN ALSO THE STRUCTURE IN TERMS OF HOW THE BUNKS WERE SET UP, RIGHT, TO HELP FOLK WHOSE HAVE BEEN INSTITUTIONALIZED REENTER, HAVING THIS SPACE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, RIGHT, WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE REENTRY CENTER WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY IS WHAT WE OFTEN FORGET IS THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INCARCERATED WILL BE RELEASED AT ONE POINT. AND THAT REENTRY IS KEY,
[00:35:03]
BECAUSE MANY INDIVIDUALS DON'T HAVE AN ADDRESS TO PUT IN TERMS OF WHERE THEY MAY POTENTIALLY PAROLE OUT TO. SO OFTENTIMES IT KEEPS THEM IN THE SYSTEM UNTIL A HALFWAY HOUSE UNIT IS AVAILABLE.SO I THINK IT HELPS US IN TERMS OF RECIDIVISM, IT HELPS US IN TERMS OF INSURING THAT MORE FOLKS ARE BROUGHT OFF OF THE STREET, SO ON AND SO FORTH. SO GRATEFUL THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS SUPPORTIVE OF INCLUDING THE JUSTICE-INVOLVED POPULATION.
IT'S VERY MUCH NEEDED HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY AND BEYOND.
AGAIN, GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THRIVE YOUTH IN PARTICIPATING IN THIS INITIATIVE. AGAIN, I THINK IT COMPLIMENTS THE WORK THAT THE HOUSING TRUST DID IN TERMS OF FOSTER YOUTH AND SEEING WHAT THOSE GAPS AND BARRIERS WERE, ALLOWING YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE AND GIVEN GIVE INPUT. SO PLEASED TO SEE THAT'S BEEN DONE.
AS YOU LAID OUT, VERONICA, IS THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS COMMITTEE TO PLAY A ROLE IN TERMS OF ADVOCATING, AND THEN ALSO I KNOW WE HAVE A GREAT -- THE CITY HAS A GREAT LEGISLATIVE TEAM, BUT I THINK IT'S LIKE A ONE-TWO PUNCH, RIGHT? LIKE HAVING FOLKS ON CITY STAFF GO ADVOCATE, AND ALSO US WORKING WITH THE STATE DELEGATION TO MOVE SOME OF THESE BILLS ALONG AND/OR TO FILE THEM. SO JUST REALLY EAGER FOR US TO GET TO THAT POINT.
I REALLY APPRECIATED THE EXAMPLES THAT YOU PROVIDED IN TERMS OF CASE STUDIES, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE SCHOOL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M HEARING MORE AND MORE FROM MY CONSTITUENTS. IT WAS A MIXED BAG IN TERMS OF INPUT OF WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO SEE WITH THE SCHOOLS.
AT FIRST THERE WAS HESITANCY IN TERMS OF HOUSING AT VACATED SCHOOL, BUT NOW WE'RE HEARING MORE OF AN APPETITE FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AND I THINK THAT MODEL THAT WAS SPECIFIC TOWARDS VETERANS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE COULD REPLICATE HERE, BUT, OF COURSE, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO FUNDING. AND THAT'S WHY I'M EAGER FOR COUNCIL TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT A SECOND HOUSING BOND SO THAT WAY WE CAN MATERIALIZE THE VISION AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT. SO JUST WANTED TO THANK THE TEAM FOR THIS SPECIAL SUPPLY BRIEFING. THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO GET DONE, SO JUST EAGER FOR US TO HAVE MONEY TO INVEST IN THESE INITIATIVES AND THE ORDINANCES TO GOVERN THAT STRUCTURE. THOSE ARE ALL MY
COMMENTS. THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER. >> GARCIA: FOR ANYONE TUNING IN AND HEARING ABOUT THIS, WITH THE COUNCIL'S APPROVAL, AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THAT, WE DID SET ASIDE $9 MILLION FROM THE CURRENT HOUSING BOND TO PURCHASE LAND AND WE'RE WORKING WITH PETE AND THE HOUSING TRUST TEAM. SO WHILE WE WOULD LOVE ANOTHER HOUSING BOND, WE DO HAVE FUNDS SET ASIDE IN THE CURRENT ONE THAT MAY HELP US IDENTIFY LAND THAT COULD LATER BE TURNED INTO HOUSING FOR ANY OF THESE CATEGORIES.
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, VERONICA. AND LUCKILY, PETE HAS A GREAT BOARD TO WORK WITH ON THAT, SO LICHES C SO...
COUNCILWOMAN. >> KAUR: THANKS. THANKS, VERONICA, FOR THE PRESENTATION. IS THIS WHAT'S POSSIBLE, WHAT WE THINK THE NEED IS? HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THESE GOALS?
WHAT WOULD BE MOST COST EFFECTIVE. >> GARCIA: SURE.
IN THE FINAL REPORT, WE'LL HAVE LOTS OF DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, BUT WE LOOKED AT EACH CATEGORY AND IDENTIFIED, LIKE HOW MANY VETERANS ARE IN THE CITY, HOW MANY OF THOSE IDENTIFIED AS COST BURDENED THAT WE KNOW OF. HOW MANY HAVE A HOUSING VOUCHER, AND THEN REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT SOME OF THE CONSTRAINTS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE, SUCH AS FOR THE VETERAN-SPECIFIC POPULATION, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE LIMITED VETERANS THAT HAVE VOUCHERS, SO THERE'S LIMITED VASH VOUCHERS, LIMITED CASE MANAGEMENT, SO IN LOOKING AT IN SOME CASE WHAT'S IS THAT GAP, AND IS IT REALISTIC FOR US TO MEET THAT GAP WITH OUR EXISTING FUNDING AND PARTNERS? IN ANOTHER CASE -- SO VETERANS AND OLDER ADULTS ARE REALLY KIND OF BASED ON THAT WORK, WHAT IS THE GAP.
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE LGBTQ PLUS UNHOUSED YOUTH, WE'RE ALSO REALLY PLIMENTED WHAT OUR PARTNERS -- LIMITED WHAT OUR PARTNERS CAN DO. SPECIFICALLY FOR THE YOUTH.
THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY GROUPS THAT SERVE THAT YOUTH.
THERE'S LOTS OF SUPPORT THAT'S NEEDED, SO WE TRIED TO COME UP WITH A GOAL THAT UNDERSTOOD THE NEED BUT IN NOT ALL CASES WERE WE ABLE TO MEET IT.
AGAIN, WE'RE CONSTRAINED BY SOME OF OUR RESOURCES.
>> KAUR: SO I GUESS THIS IS -- I'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT JUST LIKE GOALS IN GENERAL FOR OUR HOUSING AND FOR THE SHIP REFRESH, I'D LIKE FOR US TO LOOK AT OUR AMI GE GOALS AGAIN AND REVISIT THEM.
THOSE WERE BASED ON DATA A WHILE BACK BEFORE ALL OF THE INCREASE IN COSTS THAT WE SEE TODAY. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG, CLEAR METHODOLOGY FOR HOW WE'RE SETTING GOALS AND NOT JUST SAYING, LIKE, THIS IS HOW MUCH WE CAN DO. BECAUSE THE HIGHER -- LIKE, SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR LGBTQ PLUS UNHOUSED YOUTH HAS THE MOST NEED,
[00:40:03]
AND NOT TO SAY THAT ANYONE IN THESE CATEGORIES ISN'T IMPORTANT, BUT WE -- THE MORE YOU PUT DOLLARS INTO SOME PLACE AND THE MORE YOU SAY THIS IS WHERE WE WANT TO FOCUS, THE MORE WE WILL SEE RESULTS, I BELIEVE. AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WAY THAT WE'RE GOAL-SETTING IS -- AND IT SOUNDS -- I BELIEVE IT WAS VERY CALCULATED, BUT IF WE CAN SHARE THAT. AND YOU SAID UT YOU HADIT IN THE REPORTS, IF YOU CAN SEND THAT OVER. >> GARCIA: YES.
>> KAUR: IF WE CAN DO THAT FOR ALL OF OUR AMIS FOR THE SHIP REFRESH, MAKE SURE WE'RE REALLY CLEAR ON IT. I ASKED ONCE, DO WE KNOW HOW MANY FOLKS ARE ACT BUALLY ON WAITING LIST OR EVEN HOW MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE 30% AMI THAT HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING HOUSING, AND WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A GOOD SOURCE FORGETTING THAT DATA.
SO IF WE COULD EXPLORE TO GAIN THAT DATA TO GET BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRUE NEED VERSUS -- I KNOW SOME OF IT WILL ALWAYS BE EXTRAPOLATION, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GET BETTER ON SETTING REALLY GOOD, HIGH TARGETS IN THE AREAS THAT NEED IT MOST. AND THEN WE -- LAST TIME WE HAD THIS BRIEFING, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT EXTENDING THE SURVEY. DID WE GET INITIAL --
MORE RESPONDENTS FROM THAT SURVEY? >> GARCIA: YES.
INITIALLY AT OUR LAST BRIEFING, WE WERE AROUND 200.
WE EXTENDED IT FOR ANOTHER MONTH, HAD A BIG PUCH AT OUR HOUSING AND
SAN ANTONIO EVENTS AND HAD OVER 350 RESPONSES. >> KAUR: AWESOME.
THAT'S GREAT. >> GARCIA: AND WE'LL HAVE A FULL BREAKDOWN OF THE
RESULTS IN THE FINAL REPORT. >> KAUR: OKAY.
I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT. AND THEN FOR THE UPDATE FOR THE SHIP REFRESH, IS THE PLAN FOR IT TO COME TO PCDC FIRST OR JUST GO
STRAIGHT TO COUNCIL FOR B SESSION? >> GARCIA: WE WOULD COME
TO PCDC FIRST. >> KAUR: OKAY. OKAY.
AND THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS I -- THE LAST TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, AND I THINK YOU GUYS DID A REALLY GOOD JOB ON THE SPECIAL HOUSING TASK FORCE, AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK PETE AND JANE FOR BEING HERE, BUT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT JUST THE DASHBOARD OVERALL THAT WE'VE KIND OF BEEN MENTIONING. I THINK AHEAD OF THE HOUSING BOND, IT WILL BE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SHOW HOW MUCH PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN SOMETHING WHEN WE'VE MADE PROGRESS ON IT. AND SO DO WE HAVE ANY UPDATES ON HOW -- LIKE I KNOW WE HAVE -- WE CAN LIKE -- THE HOUSING TRUST HAS THEIR OWN WEBSITE AND OPPORTUNITY HOME HAS THEIR OWN. DO WE HAVE ANY UPDATE ON LIKE A CONSOLIDATED SOURCE ON SHOWING WHAT HOUSING HAS BEEN INVESTED IN, WHAT THE SOURCES OF FUNDING WERE, HOW MANY OF THAT WAS HOUSING BOND, ET
CETERA. >> GARCIA: SURE. SO WE HAVE N'T ADDED FUNDING SOURCES TO THE WEBSITE YET. IT SHOWS HOW MANY UNITS WE'VE PRESERVED, CREATED. IT DOESN'T IDENTITY BY WHICH ENTITY. IT'S MORE ABOUT THIS IS HOUSING, FOCUSED ON THE SHIP GOAL WHICH IS AMI FOCUSED. SO WE DO HAVE THAT AND A MAP AS WELL. IT'S INTERACTIVE, BUT WE HAVE NOT ADDED FUNDING SOURCES YET. BUT WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT THAT WOULD TAKE TO DO
THAT. >> KAUR: YEAH. AND I THOUGHT WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT, LIKE, -- DOES IT INCLUDE ALL OF THE PFC DEALS AND LITEX
AND ALL OF THAT? >> GARCIA: YES. IT'S ALL OF OUR PARTNERS. ANY TIME THAT THE CITY -- WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO AWARD FUNDING, BUT ONCE WE'RE ALERTED OF THE PROJECT, AND THAT COULD BE WE ISSUED A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT AND WE HEARD THAT IT MOVED FORWARD.
>> KAUR: AND IT INCLUDES FUTURE ONES, TOO? DPARS
>> GARCIA: YES, THINGS THAT ARE IN THE PIPELINE THAT ARE NOT YET BUILT.
>> KAUR: YEAH, IF THERE'S A WAY TO ADD WHAT FUNDING WENT TO WHAT AND TO SEE HOW THE DOLLARS WERE SPENT, I THINK THAT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL.
AND I'LL GO BACK AND LOOK. BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THE DASHBOARD A BUNCH OF TIMES, I'VE SEEN THE NUMBERS, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN THE MAP. I'LL MAKE SURE I CAN GO BACK AND CHECK.
>> GARCIA: YOU CAN SORT IT BY COUNCIL DISTRICT, TOO.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANKS, CHAIR.
>> MUNGIA: I DO WANT TO ECHO, I WAS THINKING ACT THAT, TOO, RIGHT, KIND OF WHAT OUR GOAL IS VERSUS THE NEED IN THE COMMUNITY, JUST TO LET FOLKS THAT IT'S STILL A LARGE GAP TO DO. AND WITH THE $9 MILLION THAT WE SHIFTED TO THE TRUST, IS THAT BASICALLY THE END OF THE 22 BOND.
>> GARCIA: WE'LL BE COMING BACK APRIL, WE'LL HAVE A BRIEFING ON THE FINAL BOND AWARDS RECOMMENDED FROM OUR GAP FUNDING, SO WE HAD ABOUT 10 MILLION LEFT IN BOND FUND SPECIFICALLY FOR THE HOUSING PROJECTS, AND THAT WAS COMPETITIVE, AND WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS NOW.
SO THAT WILL COME TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN APRIL. AND THEN THE 9 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR STRATEGIC LAND ACQUISITION WILL COME FOR FINAL COUNCIL APPROVAL BEFORE THE LAND IS PURCHASED, SO THE HOUSING TRUST, PETE AND TEAM ARE WORKING ON THAT NOW. AND THEN WE WILL ALSO IN APRIL BE BRINGING THE RECOMMENDATIONS. WE ALSO HAVE A COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, THAT WAS ABOUT $2 MILLION OF BOND FUNDS.
ALL THAT, LOTS TO COME IN APRIL. >> MUNGIA: YEAH, SO MAYBE MAY, JUNE, I'M THINKING WE DO OUR RECAP OF THE '22 BOND.
[00:45:02]
I WANT TO GET AHEAD OF OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE BOND, TOO, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THIS WRAPPED UP NICELY AND HAVE ALL THE DATA TO SHOW FOLKS WHY WE ARE GOING TO PRESS FOR A SECOND ROUND OF THIS FUNDING.>> GARCIA: GREAT. >> MUNGIA: AND TO COUNCILWOMAN KAUR'S POINT, I THINK IT'S SO TRUE, RIGHT, WE MAY GO FOR A BOND AND WE KNOW THAT'S GOING TO BE SPENT OVER FIVE YEARS, SO KIND OF LOOKING AT WHAT THE NEED IS NOW, BUT ALSO WHAT WILL THE NEED BE IN FIVE YEARS, AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY FUNDING COMING UP, RIGHT? SO IN CASE WE HAVE A HIGH NEED FOR HOUSING FOR, YOU KNOW, SENIORS AND THEN WE KNOW LIKE IN TWO YEARS, SOMETHING BIG IS GOING TO COME ONLINE, THAT WE KIND OF KNOW THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE HELPFUL FOR THE FUTURE. GREAT.
I THINK THIS SHOULD COME BACK TO OUR COMMITTEE AT THE END OF MARCH FOR FINAL APPROVAL. I THINK THAT WILL BE NICE.
AND I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY HERE WOULD GET A SECOND BRIEFING AHEAD OF THAT DATE. JUST TO BE CERTAIN. WAS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? COUNCILMAN GALVAN, COUNCILWOMAN KAUR?
>> GALVAN: REALLY QUICK. I WANT TO DEFINITELY ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUE SAID IN PARTICULAR, THE MENTION BY COUNCILMEMBER KAUR ABOUT THE KIND OF SUBSIDY NEEDS. I THINK IT'S ALWAYS COMING BACK TO FUNDING, BUT THINKING ABOUT, RIGHT, VERSUS TRYING TO LAY OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE PARTICULARLY FOR LGBTQ YOUTH THAT THERE'S LESS RESOURCES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR OTHER FOLKS WE'RE LOOKING AT HAVE LESS ACCESS TO VOUCHERS, HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT SUBSIDIES ARE DEEP ENOUGH THAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO LIVE THERE. AND THAT FUNDING -- MAYBE IF IT'S A LITTLE BIT LESS UNITS OVERALL IF IT'S ABLE TO SERVE THAT GROUP IN A HIGHER CAPACITY.
IT'S ALWAYS THE CONVERSATION THERE, I THINK IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND, SO I WANTED TO JUST MENTION THAT.
AND THEN ALSO I THINK SLIDE 7 THROUGH 10 FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS, I ALSO MEANT TO SAY 11 AND 12. SO PRESENTATION OVERALL, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I MADE THAT CLEAR.
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN, WE WERE ALL WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING
ON THERE. COUNCILWOMAN KAUR? >> KAUR: JUST -- IT'S THE STORY MAP THAT SAYS AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION? THAT'S THE MAP THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? YEAH, THIS IS NOT REALLY EFFECTIVE. WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS LIKE -- THIS IS A GREAT START. SORRY.
THIS IS A GREAT START. BUT I'M TRYING TO SHOW IS THAT LIKE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELECT -- SO RIGHT NOW, ONE, IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY CHANGE THE NUMBERS AS YOU CHANGE THE FILTERS, AND YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY SELECT SPECIFIC FILTERS TO SEE, LIKE, OKAY, HOW MUCH HAS THE HOUSING TRUST ACTUALLY BUILT OVER AND WHERE HAVE THEY BUILT AND WHERE ARE THEIR PROPERTIES? AND THEN HAVE THOSE SHOW LIKE NUMBER OF UNITS, WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED AND -- SO IT IS JUST -- IT PINPOINTS THE MAP WHERE IT'S OCCURRING, BUT IT'S NOT GIVING YOU THE -- I THINK THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO MAKE AN ACCURATE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER OR NOT THE HOUSING BOND HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE, WHETHER OR NOT THE HOUSING TRUST, WHERE THEY'RE DEVELOPING. SO IT'S A GREAT START, BUT I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ADDITIONAL -- NOT JUST FILTERS ON THE MAP, BUT, LIKE, WHEN YOU'RE ON THE LEFT SIDE, YOU'RE ABLE TO SELECT, OKAY, I WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE -- ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE FOR VETERANS AND SELECT TO SEE HOW MUCH -- WHERE THEY'VE GONE AND WHAT ARE THOSE PROJECTS.
I WANT TO SEE ALL THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE 30% AMI.
AND SO THAT YOU CAN IMMEDIATELY SEE WHERE ALL THE 30% AMI UNITS HAVE BEEN BUILT. LIKE THAT LEVEL WHERE YOU SELECT SOMETHING AND WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE DATA. DOES THAT MAKE A LITTLE
BIT MORE SENSE? >> GARCIA: SURE. YES.
>> KAUR: AND MAYBE I CAN WRITE OUT WHAT I'M SAYING A LITTLE BIT BETTER, TOO, SO THAT IT'S NOT SO JUMBLED. THANKS.
THANKS, CHAIR. >> MUNGIA: MAYBE, QUONL, YOU CAN BE A CHAIR OF A SUBCOMMITTEE ON DATA. I MEAN, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT, TOO, JUST TO KIND OF FORMALIZE THAT AND MAKE SURE IT'S BEING DELIVERED IN THE RIGHT WAY, I THINK THAT COULD BE VERY USEFUL. ALL RIGHT.
VERONICA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE IT.
ALL RIGHTY, FOLKS. THAT WAS ITEM NUMBER 3, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 4. MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE CAPTION.
>> CLERK: ITEM NUMBER 4 IS A BRIEFING ON THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING,
TIF PROGRAM POLICY. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, IAN BENAVIDEZ, I'M GOING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUS MEETING WE HAD AT PCDC TO LOOK AT UPDATING SOME LANGUAGE IN THE TIF POLICY AROUND DISPLACEMENT. SO AS BACKGROUND, THE CITY'S TAX INCREMENT FINANCE POLICY WAS APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 15TH, 2022. SOME KEY UPDATES AT THAT TIME WERE TO REMOVE LENGTHY AND DISJOINTED LANGUAGE REFERENCES, STREAMLINE OUR PROCESS AND ALIGN OUR PROGRAM WITH OTHER CITY PLANS AND POLICIES.
DURING CITY COUNCIL B SESSION ON JANUARY 14TH, CITY COUNCIL REQUESTED A REVIEW OF THE DISPLACEMENT LANGUAGE WITHIN THE TIRZ POLICY AND ON JANUARY 27TH AT PCDC THE PLANNING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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COMMITTEE PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON THE EXISTING DISPLACEMENT LANGUAGE AND REQUESTED SOME UPDATES FOR FUTURE PROJECTS TO BETTER COMPLY AND MEET WITH DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND SHIP POLICY GOALS.SO I'M GOING TO GO OVER SOME OF THE CHANGES IN THE LANGUAGE.
CURRENTLY DISPLACEMENT IS IDENTIFIED IN TWO LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE POLICY. THE CURRENT POLICY LANGUAGE IS ON THE LEFT AND THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE IS ON THE RIGHT. CURRENTLY IN THE DISPLACEMENT SECTION OF THE POLICY, IT SAYS THAT A TIRZ OR TAX INCREMENT FINANCE FUNDED PROJECT SHALL NOT CAUSE DIRECT RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT. DIRECT RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT AS DEFINED BY THE CITY INCLUDES ANY OCCUPIED INHABITABLE HOUSEHOLD OR HOUSEHOLDS LOCATED ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT SITE THAT WILL REQUIRE PERMANENT DISPLACEMENT. REALLY WE'RE LOOKING TO INCLUDE THREE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN THIS SECTION. ONE IS TO INCLUDE FUTURE PHASES OF THE DEVELOPMENT. TWO IS TO INCLUDE A LOOKBACK PERIOD FOR PROJECTS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED DISPLACEMENT BUT ARE THEN APPLYING FOR FUNDING. AND THREE IS TO CLARIFY THAT THE PLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED AND I'LL GO MORE INTO THAT IN THE NEXT SECTION OUTLINING EXACTLY WHAT THAT WILL INCLUDE. BUT THE CHANGES TO THIS SECTION WILL STATE THAT A TIRZ OR TIF-FUNDED PROJECT SHALL NOT CAUSE DIRECT RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT. DIRECT RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT AS DEFINED BY THE CITY INCLUDES ANY OCCUPIED AND HABITABLE HOUSEHOLDS LOCATED ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT SITE OR WITHIN FUTURE FACES OF THE PROJECT CONTROLLED BY THE DEVELOPER. 2, WITH THE LOOKBACK PERIOD PROPOSED PROJECTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW OF DIRECT RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT THAT HAS OCCURRED FOR THE PRIOR TWO YEARS FROM THE APPLICATION DATE. AND THEN, THREE, PROPOSED PROJECTS WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT. SO THOSE THREE CHANGES ARE BEING PROPOSED IN THAT SECTION. THE NEXT SECTION WITHIN THE POLICY REALLY SPEAKS TO THE DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT.
I THINK THIS COMMITTEE IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT. IT'S A TOOL WE CURRENTLY USE SPECIFICALLY FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE SEEKING CITY INCENTIVES ON OUR GAP FUNDING AND RFP SIDE. CURRENTLY THE PROJECT -- THE LANGUAGE WITHIN DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT SAYS THAT HOUSING PROJECTS WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE CITY'S ADOPTED IMPACT ASSESSMENT TO DEVELOP DATA ON THE VULNERABILITY ON THE SURROUNDING AREA.
WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE THREE CHANGES TO THIS SECTION.
ONE IS TO INCLUDE ALL PROJECTS, NOT JUST HOUSING PROJECTS.
TWO, IS TO IDENTIFY AN AREA AND ALSO TO TIE BACK TO THE PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT, AND THREE IS TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT SPEAKS TO THE MITIGATION BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT.
SO THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE READS THAT ALL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE CITY'S ADOPTED DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT TO PROVIDE DATA ON THE VULNERABILITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE SURROUNDING AREA TO POTENTIAL INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES.
THE SURROUNDING AREA WILL INCLUDE A MINIMUM OF ONE QUARTER MILE FROM THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROJECT SITE AND ALL PHASES THAT ARE PART OF THAT PROJECT. FOR PROJECTS THAT SCORE A MEDIUM OR HIGH RISK ON THE DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT THE PROBABILITY MUST INCLUDE A PLAN ON EFFORTS TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF POTENTIAL DISPLACEMENT.
THOSE ARE REALLY THE TWO SECTIONS THAT SPEAK TO DISPLACEMENT WITHIN THE POLICY AND THOSE ARE THE CHANGES WE'RE PROPOSING. IF APPROVED BY PCDC WOULD BE TO PRESENT TO THE BOARDS, DO ADDITIONAL STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH TO OUR HOUSING COMMISSION, OUR DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TASK FORCE, AND SOME OF OUR DEVELOPER STAKEHOLDER GROUPS, AND THEN PROPOSE THE ADOPTED -- PROPOSED THE CHANGED LANGUAGE FOR CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION IN MARCH.
SO WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, IAN, I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM'S HARD WORK ON THIS AND A VERY SHORT TURNAROUND. I APPRECIATE THAT.
I WAS ONE OF THOSE FOLKS ON B SESSION THAT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PRESENTATION, AND IT GOES BACK TO THE FACT THAT THE STADIUM -- BASEBALL STADIUM WAS LISTED AS NOT CAUSING DISPLACEMENT RIGHT AFTER WE TALKED ABOUT A DISPLACEMENT FUND FOR PEOPLE AT THE SOAP WORKS. SO I DON'T SEE HOW THAT CAN BE RECONCILED, BUT WE'RE NOT HERE TO RELITIGATE A PAST VOTE OR A PAST PROJECT, BUT I SOUGHT CLARITY FROM THAT. AND WHILE I DISAGREED WITH THAT, AND I THINK IT BREAKS THE SPIRIT OF THE RULE, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT DID MEET THE LETTER OF THE LAW, BUT THAT'S WHY WE WE'RE HERE TODAY IS TO CHANGE THE POLICY AND MAKE IT HAPPEN. IAN, CAN YOU COME BACK UP HERE. BASED ON SLIDE 3, THE BIGGEST EXAMPLE, OBVIOUSLY THE BASEBALL STADIUM, CAN YOU ENLIGHTEN ME ON HOW THAT POLICY WOULD CHANGE THAT PROJECT BASED ON THE PREVIOUS LANGUAGE AND
WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING TODAY. >> ALL RIGHT.
SO CURRENTLY THE INTERPRETATION OF THE POLICY FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT, THE BASEBALL STADIUM IS THE PROJECT THAT'S RECEIVING THE TIRZ FINANCING, NOT THE HOUSING, WHICH HAD THE DEVELOPMENT -- I MEAN, THE DISPLACEMENT. SO -- THE SAME DEVELOPER AND PART OF A MULTIPHASED PROJECT, SO THAT WOULD BE
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SOMETHING WE WOULD TAKE THAT APPROACH FROM FROM STAFF'S SIDE.>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THAT OTHER PHASE OF IT, AND I KNOW IT'S NOT YOUR DEPARTMENT, RIGHT, BUT THE OTHER PHASE OF IT WAS A REQUIREMENT OF THAT PROJECT.
SO WE -- THE COUNCIL ASKED FOR DEVELOPMENT AROUND THERE AS A CONDITION OF APPROVING THAT PROJECT. SO THAT'S WHY I THINK THIS IS WHOLLY WITHIN THE POLICY AND NOT OUT OF BOUNDS FOR THAT DECISION, BUT THAT'S THE LANGUAGE OF THE PROPOSED. WELCOME COUNCIL FEEDBACK ON THAT. SO WE'LL GO WITH COUNCILWOMAN KAUR.
>> KAUR: THANKS, CHAIR. I'M SEEING A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE OF PROPOSE LANGUAGE. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS WHAT'S PROPOSED LANGUAGE INSTEAD OF THE QUARTER MILE BOUNDARY.
>> SO I THINK YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING AT THE NEXT SLIDE.
SORRY. THERE'S TWO SLIDES OF PROPOSED LANGUAGE.
DISPLACEMENT IS REFERENCED TWICE WITHIN THE POLICY.
I THINK THIS IS REALLY SPEAKING TO DIRECT DISPLACEMENT.
THE INDIRECT DISPLACEMENT IS REALLY WHAT THE DISPLACEMENT IMPACT TOOL LOOKS AT. SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE, BUT WHAT THE DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT LOOKS AT IS THE VULNERABILITY WITHIN THE AREA, SO THIS IS HELPING DEFINE WHAT IS THAT AREA THAT WE'RE GOING TO EVALUATE FOR POTENTIAL DISPLACEMENT AND THOSE RISK FACTORS.
>> KAUR: SO THE INCORRECT DISPLACEMENT IS FOR WHAT -- WELL, EXPLAIN THAT TO ME AGAIN, A LITTLE BIT BETWEEN -- SO THE FIRST SLIDE DEFINES WHAT DISPLACEMENT ACTUALLY INCLUDES, AND THEN DIA'S, WHAT WE'RE
ADDING IS THE QUARTER MILE TO ALL PROJECTS? >> CORRECT.
SO THIS FIRST LANGUAGE REALLY SPEAKS TO -- THIS FIRST SECTION, I'M SORRY, SPEAKS TO DISPLACEMENT, DIRECT RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT, SO OCCUPIED HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE BEING NO LONGER OCCUPIED DUE TO DISPLACEMENT.
SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS SPEAKS TO. IT REFERENCES ON HERE THAT YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO DO DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT.
SO IT'S POSSIBLE THAT A PROJECT MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE ANY VNS THAL DISPLACEMENT HOWEVER WE WILL STILL CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT TO LOOK AT THE
VULNERABILITYENER BLGHTS WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. >> KAUR: GOT IT.
AND TH THE DIA WILL BE A QUARTER MILE OF THE WHOLE AREA?
>> CORRECT. >> KAUR: SO IN THIS CASE, LIKE TO DOUBLE-DOWN ON THAT, WOULD IT BE A QUARTER MILE OF PHASE 1, 2, 3, SO THAT WOULD BE THE ACTUAL SITE AND IT WOULD BE A QUARTER MILE RADIUS AROUND THAT?
>> CORRECT. >> KAUR: I LOVE CLEAR DEFINITIONS.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, CHAIR. I SUPPORT IT.
SORRY. LAST QUICK THING. HOW DID YOU DETERMINE A
QUARTER MILE? >> WE WORKED WITH OUR POLICY TEAM.
THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT THEY LOOKED AT CURRENTLY WITH THE DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT. THERE COULD BE AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT, BUT TYPICALLY THAT GIVES US A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS ARE AND THAT'S THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THE
DEVELOPMENT. >> KAUR: GOT IT. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> MUNGIA: COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO? >> CASTILLO: I WANTED TO THANK YOU THE COUNCILMEMBER FOR IDENTIFYING THIS GAP AND BRINGING IT TO PCDC FOR US TO ADOPT. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE
STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION. COUNCILMAN GALVAN? >> GALVAN: ONE QUICK QUESTION I HAD ON SLIDE 3, WAS IT THE LANGUAGE ON THE PRIOR TWO YEARS IN THE APPLICATION DATE, COULD YOU CLARIFY WHAT THAT'S FOR, I GUESS?
WHAT WAS THE THOUGHT PROCESS FOR THAT ONE? >> WHEN WE WERE EVALUATING THE LANGUAGE, WE LOOKED AT A COUPLE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.
IF SOMEBODY, LET'S SAY, OWNED A PIECE OF PROPERTY AND NEEDED TO MOVE TENANTS OUT OR DISPLACED TENANTS PRIOR TO APPLYING TO THE CITY, YOU KNOW, OUR REVIEW WOULD SAY, WELL, THERE'S NOBODY THERE NOW; HOWEVER, THERE WAS SOMEBODY RECENTLY THERE WHO WAS DISPLACED. SO WE TRY TO TAKE A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD TO LOOK BACK AND SAY AT THE TIME OF THE APPLICATION YOU DIDN'T DISPLACE ANYBODY, BUT YOU VERY RECENTLY DISPLACED
SOMEBODY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO APPLY. >> GALVAN: LIKELY RELATED
TO THE PROJECT. >> YES. >> GALVAN: GOT IT.
THANK YOU. THAT'S HELPFUL. [INDISCERNIBLE] HAVE THE DIA FOR PREVIOUS PROJECT, NOT ONLY FOR TIRZ, BUT FOR ANY OTHER PROJECTS ON HAND -- NOT ON HAND TODAY, BUT THE '22 BOND OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE
CAN REVIEW? >> WE DO. AND WE SHARE THOSE ALL WITH THE SCORING COMMITTEE WHEN WE REVIEW THOSE PROJECTS SO WE HAVE
ALL OF THOSE ON FILE. >> GALVAN: OKAY. GREAT.
FOR THE FUNDING APPLICATION FOR THE TIRZ, THERE'S ONE APP ONLINE, IS THAT THE MOST UP TO DATE APPLICATION OR IS THERE A DIFFERENT --
>> I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAID. >> GALVAN: THE FUNDING APPLICATION FOR THE TIRZ, IS THAT THE MOST UP TO DATE APPLICATION LISTED
ONLINE. >> YES, THAT SHOULD BE THE MOST UP TO DATE ONE.
YES. >> GALVAN: GOT IT. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THIS PARTICULAR FOCUS -- WASHINGTON, D.C.'S TIRZ POLICY IS LOOKING AT THE KIND OF -- WHAT'S IT CALLED, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS THEY'D LOOK AT WHAT WOULD THIS PARCEL LOOK LIKE, WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT HERE, WHAT COULD THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT LOOK LIKE HERE WITH OR WITHOUT THIS APPLIED PROJECT.
AND THAT WAS A COMPARISON FOR CITY COUNCIL, FOR THEIR CITY TO REVIEW AND
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SAY IF THEY DO IT THIS WAY, WE COULD GET THIS MUCH TAX REVENUE AND THIS MUCH DEVELOPMENT AND THIS MUCH ECONOMIC SUCCESS, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, BUT ALSO IF WE DIDN'T DO IT THIS WAY, WE DID IT A DIFFERENT WAY OR WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AT ALL, WOULD IT BE DIFFERENT, WHAT WOULD THE OUTCOME BE? I THINK SOMETHING TO THAT EXTENT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A FISCAL ANALYSIS WOULD BE THE RIGHT WORD FOR IT, BUT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THAT IN THIS COMMITTEE OR INTERESTED TO WHAT STAFF THINKS ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THATIN THE FUTURE. >> WE CAN DEFINITELY EXPLORE THAT, ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL LOOK INTO THAT. IF THIS POLICY APPROVED, THIS COUNCIL WILL BE UPDATING THE APPLICATION TO CHANGE SOME OF THE
QUESTIONS ON THAT AND REFLECT THE NEW POLICY. >> GALVAN: GOT IT.
THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
AND I'M SUPPORTIVE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS. >> MUNGIA: AWESOME.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD CONSENSUS, SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE YOU AT COUNCIL ON MARCH 19TH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 4, MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE CAPTION -- EXCUSE ME,
ITEM NUMBER 5. >> CLERK: ITEM 5 IS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST BY COUNCILMEMBER ADRIANA ROCHA GARCIA, DISTRICT FOUR, AND COUNCILMEMBER TERI CASTILLO, DISTRICT FIVE, ON ACCOMPLISHING A PROCESS FOR CITY ASSISTANCE AFTER HOME FIRE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND CHAIR.
MY NAME'S JUSTINA TATE, I'M THE INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FOR SAN ANTONIO. TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST RELATED TO THE PROCESS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS AFTER A HOME FIRE. NOW, TO PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND, THIS CCR WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY OF 2025 BY COUNCILMEMBERS ROCHA GARCIA AND CASTILLO. THE CCR REQUESTED THAT THE CITY DEVELOP A PROCESS FOR CITY ASSISTANCE AFTER A RESIDENTIAL FIRE. THESE INCLUDE NOTIFYING SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS TO OFFER RESOURCES AND PREVENT UNNECESSARY ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST THE HOME, NOTIFY LOCAL PROFITS -- OR NOTIFY LOCAL NONPROFITS AND REACH OUT TO RESPECTIVE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND THEIR OFFICE SO THAT COUNCIL OFFICE MAY ATTEMPT TO REACH OUT TO THE FAMILY. THIS CCR WAS HEARD BY THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND REFERRED TO PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. SO I FIRST WANTED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE THAT IS CURRENTLY PROVIDED TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY EXPERIENCING A HOME FIRE.
THIS SLIDE ILLUSTRATES THE PROCESS THAT IS FOLLOWED TO PROVIDE THIS ASSISTANCE. OVERALL, WHEN THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO A FIRE, THEY WORK WITH THE HOMEOWNER TO FIND A PLACE TO STAY. COMMONLY IN A SINGLE FAMILY FIRE, AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE A COUPLE OPTIONS. SO COMMONLY THE INDIVIDUAL OR THE FAMILY WILL FIND A PLACE TO STAY WITH EITHER THE FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS. IF THAT'S NOT AN OPTION, SA -- THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT COMMANDER WILL CONTACT THE RED CROSS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS, SO THIS SERVES A A SCREEN BETWEEN THE RED CROSS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, JUST CALLING DIRECTLY FOR ASSISTANCE.
IN A WAY, THIS VETS THE RESIDENTS A A BONA FIDE FIRE VICTIM THAT IS NEEDING ASSISTANCE. THE RED CROSS WILL THEN CONTACT THE HOMEOWNER TO ASSIST WITH ANY HOME ACCOMMODATIONS. IN CASE OF A MULTIFAMILY FIRE, THE INDIVIDUAL OR THE FAMILY COULD REACH OUT TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY FOR A PLACE TO STAY. IF THAT'S NOT AN OPTION, SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL WORK WITH A PROPERTY MANAGER TO EITHER FIND ACCOMMODATIONS WITHIN THE COMPLEX IN AN AREA THAT HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED OR WITHIN THE COMPLEX IF THERE'S MULTIPLE BUILDINGS, OR ALSO LOOK AT SISTER PROPERTIES THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR ACCOMMODATIONS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL WORK WITH -- ALSO COORDINATE WITH RED CROSS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS AND ASSISTANCE.
SO IN SUMMARY, IN EITHER INSTANCE, EITHER A SINGLE FAMILY OR MULTIFAMILY FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS OR THE FAMILY TO IDENTIFY HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS. THIS NEXT SLIDE ILLUSTRATES THE INTERNAL NOTIFICATION PROCESS FOR SINGLE OR MULTIFAMILY FIRES. SO ONCE THE FIRE IS CONTAINED, BASED ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A FIRE, THE SA -- SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT COMMANDER WILL REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE FIRE CHIEF THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. ADDITIONALLY, FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WILL EVALUATE THE SCENE TO DETERMINE IF THE STRUCTURE IS STABLE.
IF THE STRUCTURE IS NOT STABLE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTACT DSD, WHO HAS TWO ON-CALL INSPECTORS THAT WILL GO TO THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT TO INSPECT THE STRUCTURE FOR POSSIBLE DEMOLITION.
IF THE INSPECTOR DETERMINES THAT A DEMOLITION IS NEEDED,
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THEY WILL WORK WITH THE RESIDENT OR THE PROPERTY MANAGER TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING WITHIN 96 HOURS. IF THERE IS -- IF THE STRUCTURE IS STABLE AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVALUATES THE STRUCTURE, DSD WILL REVIEW THE INCIDENT AS PART OF THEIR WEEKLY FIRE LIST.IN CASES OF A FIRE, AN INSPECTOR WILL CONTACT THE OWNER TO VISIT THE STRUCTURE AND ENSURE THE PROPERTY IS SECURE. IN EITHER CASE, WHEN THE INSPECTOR MEETS WITH THE HOMEOWNER, THEY WILL NOTIFY EITHER HOUSING, HUMAN SERVICES OR HOMELESS IF THEY FIND THAT ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE NEEDED. SO SINCE THIS CCR WAS FILED, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ENHANCEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO RESIDENTS ASSISTANCE. FIRST, IN DECEMBER, CITY COUNCIL UPDATED THE FEE WAIVER POLICY TO INCLUDE ELIGIBILITY FOR RESIDENTS SEEKING TO REBUILD OR REPAIR AFTER A FIRE. SO THEY ARE NOW ELIGIBLE IN MEETING CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY FEE WAIVERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE TEAM HAD DEVELOPED A FIRE -- A HOUSE FIRE CHECKLIST SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN -- THAT CAN BE PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS AND ON THIS HOUSE FIRE CHECKLIST, IT DOES PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RESOURCES. IN SUMMARY, TODAY WE WANTED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF OUR CURRENT PROCESS, THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THE CCR WAS ISSUED, AND SEEK ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK FROM THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. CHIEF FROSTO IS HERE AS WELL AS AMIN AND VERONICA
TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. . >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, JUSTINA, YOU COULD HAVE HAD THAT FROM HERE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET UP NEXT TIME. SO THANK YOU ALL FROM WORKING ON THIS.
I GOT TO WORK ON THIS CCR A YEAR AGO WITH COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO'S OFFICE, AND FOR US, THE CATALYST FOR THIS WAS A HOME FIRE IN DISTRICT FOUR WHERE A FAMILY WAS DISPLACED AND IT WAS ACTUALLY TELEMUNDO THAT REACHED OUT TO OUR OFFICE AND SAID, HEY, WE HAVE THIS FAMILY THAT ARE DISPLACED AND WE WERE ABLE TO DO A LOT FOR THEM.
WE REALIZED THAT WE DIDN'T REALLY SEE A PROCESS IN THE CASE THAT HAPPENED. I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE DR. DANIEL MARTINEZ WHO'S HERE IN THE BACK TODAY WITH AMERICAN RED CROSS, HE'S OUR GO-TO PERSON HERE, AND WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND LISTENING TO THIS.
BUT WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START SOME DISCUSSION AND WE'LL GO WITH
COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FIRST. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU, JUSTINA FOR THE PRESENTATION AS WELL AS TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND NHSD. AS THE COUNCILMAN HIGHLIGHTED THIS CCR WAS THE RESULT OF A TREND THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN TERMS OF CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A HOME FIRE, BUT AREN'T NECESSARILY TIED -- CONNECTED, RATHER, TO RESOURCES TO REHAB THEIR HOME BEYOND RED CROSS PROVIDING THAT INITIAL HAS SIS TANS.
WE -- ASSISTANCE. I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN ACTION IN TERMS OF THE CITY FEE WAIVERS TO INCLUDE RESIDENTS REPAIRING THEIR HOME AFTER EXPERIENCING FIRE, AND, OF COURSE, THE FIRE CHECKLIST FOR RESIDENTS. WHAT I WOULD LIKE SUPPORT FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON IS HOW WE CAN CREATE AN INTERNAL POLICY IN TERMS OF PUTTING A LEAN ON PROPERTIES, FOR EXAMPLE, MR. GARCIA JUST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A FIRE EARLIER LAST YEAR RATHER, AND IT STARTED WITH A VACANT STRUCTURE AND IT SPREAD TO HIS PROPERTY. THE CITY THEN WENT OUT AND ABATED THE PROPERTY AND HE HAS, I BELIEVE IT'S AN $8,000 FEE. HE DID APPLY FOR A WAIVER, HOWEVER THAT REQUEST WAS DENIED. HE DOES INTEND TO REBUILD. HE DOES NOT HAVE HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE AND WHAT I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD WHAT I WOULD HOPE IS THAT WE CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO WANTED TO REBUILD ON THEIR PROPERTY TO REBUILD WITHOUT PLACING A LIEN ON THEIR PROPERTY WITHOUT A CITY-INITIATED DEMOLITION.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I HOPE WE CAN VOTE UPON WITH THIS POLICY IN DISTRICT 5 IN PARTICULAR, RIGHT, WE HAVE SEEN WITH THE UPDATED FEMA FLOODPLAIN MAPS THAT MORE PROPERTIES ARE GOING TO BE INCORPORATED, WHICH MEANS MORE EXPENSE AND MORE BARRIERS IN TERMS OF REBUILDING IN THAT FLOODPLAIN.
THERE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE IN WHICH IT WASN'T A FLOODPLAIN, GRATEFUL FOR MARK AND RACHEL ON OUR TEAM, THEY BRAIDED A PROJECT TOGETHER THAT TOOK OVER A YEAR PLUS TO GET A HOMEOWNER BACK ON ALVAREZ STREET, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN A FLOOD ZONE, THERE'S JUST MORE BARRIERS IN TERMS OF PERMITTING ON THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. SO THE GOAL HERE OF COURSE IS HOW WE CAN COME UP WITH AN INTERNAL POLICY FOR WHICH THERE IS A FEE PLACED FOR ABATEMENT THAT WE CAN -- I KNOW WE TECHNICALLY CAN'T WAIVE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED GIFTING IS MY UNDERSTANDING, BUT SOME TYPE OF POLICY WHERE WE'RE NOT APPLYING THE LIEN FOR CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED A FIRE AND INTEND TO REBUILD.
I HOPE I CAN HAVE SUPPORT FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THAT. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS,
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THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO.
I WOULD APPRECIATE US LOOKING INTO THAT AS WELL. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, AS WELL AS I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S A FORMAL PROCESS NOW TO NOTIFY OUR COUNCIL OFFICES SO THAT COULD BE OUR GERIATRIC EMAIL. I KNOW THAT CHIEF FRAUSTO IS HERE AND SHE DOES A GOOD JOB OF CONTACTING A COUNCILMEMBER WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS IN OUR DISTRICT, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME FOLLOW-UP OF CONTACT INFORMATION TO OUR OFFICE ABOUT THE AFFECTED FAMILY IF IT'S AVAILABLE.
WE'LL CONTINUE ON WITH COMMENTS. COUNCILWOMAN KAUR.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU, CHAIR AND THANK YOU,& COUNCILMEMBER, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
WE HAD A FIRE PERSON SUPPORT BECAUSE SHE WAS AN ELDERLY RESIDENT WHO JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO OR WHAT TO DO. AND ONE OF THE CHALLENGING PARTS WITH THE HOUSING AFTERWARDS IS THAT IT RUNS OUT AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND SO I KNOW IT CAN'T BE INDEFINITE, BUT FIGURING OUT HOW WE PROVIDE SOME LONGER TERM SUPPORT FOR SHELTER AFTERWARDS WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE'S NO OPTION ONE FOR FAMILY OR FRIENDS THAT THEY COULD STAY WITH. I LOVE THE HOUSING, HOUSE FIRE CHECKLIST.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO DISTRIBUTE THAT TO -- DO WE TAKE IT TO THAT PERSON ONCE
IT'S HAPPENED OR WHAT'S THE PLAN? >> WE WORK WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO NOTIFY US. IN SOME CASES THEY COULD ALSO HELP DISTRICT, BUT ONCE THEY NOTIFY US OF THE FIRE WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE A SITE VISIT TO THE FAMILY AND MAKE
SURE THEY GET IT AS WELL. >> KAUR: I THINK FORMALIZING THAT WOULD BE GREAT SO WE MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE IT. AND ALSO MAYBE SHARING IT WITH THE NEIGHBORS AROUND. BECAUSE SOMETIMES IF YOU'RE IN A STATE OF LIKE -- LIKE A PANIC WHERE YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THIS INFORMATION OR THE SHEET MIGHT GET LOST, AT LEAST IN OUR SITUATION A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORS WERE REALLY, REALLY SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL. SO MAYBE THEY COULD RECEIVE IT TOO SO THAT THEY CAN BE LIKE, OKAY, THIS IS HOW I CAN HELP YOU.
AND IS THERE A REASON WHY WE DIDN'T PUT THE DMV NUMBER ON THERE OR SOME OF THE OTHERS
LIKE FOR TITLES, DEEDS AND FOR THE RECORDS DEPARTMENT? >> WE CAN -- WE'LL LOOK AT
THAT. >> I JUST THINK SOME OF OBVIOUSLY INSURANCE, THE INSURANCE POLICY IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT FOR EACH PERSON, BUT FOR THE DMV AND FOR THE TITLES AND DEEDS, THE RECORDS DEPARTMENT, I THINK WE SHOULD ADD THEIR NUMBERS ON TO THAT AS WELL.
>> OKAY. >> KAUR: AND ALSO, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THESE AGENCIES, IF WE COULD CHECK WITH THESE AGENCIES TO MAKE SURE THEY HAD A SPECIFIC LINE OR A SPECIFIC EMAIL ADDRESS. SOMETIMES THEY PREFER LIKE CONTACT VIA EMAIL, THAT WOULD BE A GOOD CONTACT TO HAVE AS WELL.
>> YEP, WE CAN CHECK IN AND WE'LL ALSO PLAN TO UPDATE IT WITH THE NOTE THAT YOU ARE
NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THE FEE WAIVERS AS WELL. >> KAUR: THAT'S GREAT.
OKAY. AWESOME. AND I AGREE WITH WHAT COUNCILWOMAN WAS SAYING ON THE LIENS APPROPRIATE. THAT'S REALLY TRICKY FOR FOLKS AND I UNDERSTAND THE REASON WE DO IT. WHAT'S THE AMOUNT, SO I CAN REMEMBER FOR LIKE DEMOLITION, IT'S NOT A REVENUE, HUGE REVENUE
GENERATOR, I'M ASSUMING. >> YEAH, I'LL INVITE AMIN WITH THE DSD.
>> THE AVERAGE FOR DEMOLITION IS ACTUALLY BASED ON THE SQUARE FOOT, BUT OUR AVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IS ABOUT $7,000 FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNIT.
>> KAUR: SO FOR US IT'S NOT -- AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR -- OF DSD'S BUDGET IS THOSE LIENS? LIKE SMALL PERCENTAGE PROBABLY, RIGHT?
>> YEAH. I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION WITH ME RIGHT NOW, BUT IF IT'S THE HOMESTEAD WE CANNOT PUT LIEN ON THE PROPERTY, EVEN IF WE
DO THE DEMO WE CANNOT PUT A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY. >> KAUR: INTERESTING.
I DON'T THINK I REALIZED THAT. THANKS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR. >> CHAIR, I I WANTED TO QUICKLY ADD TO THAT.
WHEN DSD DIPLOMA D DEMOLISHES PROPERTIES OR TAKE ANY CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THAT MONEY WE DID NOT CONSIDER REVENUE-GENERATING.
IT GOES BACK TO REIMBURSEMENT OF THE CITY'S COSTS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ACTION. SO IT DOESN'T ADD TO THE COFFERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OR
THE CITY IN ANY WAY. >> MUNGIA: IF YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, CHAIR AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO AND ROCHA GARCIA AND HER WONDERFUL TEAM NOW ELECTED FOR WORKING ON THIS PARTICULAR CCR.
WE HAD A FIRE IN DISTRICT 6 IMMEDIATELY AFTER NEW YEAR'S, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE WITH FIREWORKS HAPPENING, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE RED CROSS TO JUMP IN TO SUPPORT WITH THE FAMILY AND OF COURSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THERE, FOR THE RESIDENTS, THEY HAD SOME
[01:15:03]
FAMILY THEY WERE ABLE TO STAY WITH SO THEY WERE ABLE TO WORK OUT THOSE PIECES.I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT -- TO COUNCILWOMAN KAUR'S POINT, THERE'S A NEIGHBOR THAT CALLED ME AND SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE IS, BUT I COULD DO SOMETHING TO HELP OUT. I THINK THAT POINT STICKS WITH ME IS WORKING WITH THE NEIGHBORS NEARBY TO TO HELP THE FAMILY PLAN, AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN.
SO A CHECKLIST OR KNOWING THAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY CRUCIAL. ALL THAT TO SAY I THINK THIS PARTICULAR -- LOOKING AT THIS PARTICULAR AND THIS PROCESS IS REALLY KEY, THE RESOURCES WE HAVE IS REALLY ESSENTIAL AND NEEDED FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M SUPPORTIVE OF COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO AND MUNGIA PUSHING FORWARD WITH WORK RELATED TO THE LIENS AND SUPPORTING THAT. COMMUNICATION WITH THE COUNCIL OFFICES AS WELL. THANK YOU, CHIEF FRAUSTO FOR GETTING WITH US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DO AGREE THAT IF WE CAN GET CHIEF OF STAFF OR SOMEBODY AS WELL, THAT WAY WE'RE ALWAYS STILL MOVING. THERE'S ONE THING I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THIS, BUT I WANT TO VERIFY. I DON'T KNOW CHIEF FRAUSTO IF YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS, DO WE HAVE A MAP OR DO WE SEE ANY RECURRING AREAS OF TOWN THAT SEE THE MOST FIRES? IS THERE ANY DATA ON THAT? THE MOST HOUSE FIRES, I SHOULD SAY?
>> YES, WE CERTAINLY DO HAVE THAT DATA. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE ICSO OFFICE AND TRYING TO WORK THROUGH ALL OF THE SPECIFICS SO WE CAN PROVIDE A DASHBOARD THAT'S AVAILABLE ONLINE. BUT I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER OFFHAND OR WHICH DISTRICT THAT IS. I CAN CERTAINLY GET THAT FOR
YOU. >> GALVAN: NO PROBLEM. I WAS WONDERING IF WITHIN THAT ANALYSIS WE CAN LOOK AT ANY SIMILARITIES IN THE STRUCTURES THEMSELVES, IF THERE'S ANY HIGH OCCURRING HIGH RISKS IN THE AREA, WHETHER IT'S THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOME, THE AGE OF THE HOME. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND IT MORE SO WE CAN BE PROACTIVE WITH HOME REPAIR PROGRAM OR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT I THINK IS SOMETHING THIS COMMITTEE IS ALWAYS FOCUSED ON.
IT'S HELPFUL TO THINK HOW WE CAN BE -- HOW CAN WE LOOK AT PREVENTION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. HOPE ANY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS I'M GRATEFUL THIS PROCESS EXISTS.
THANK YOU, CHIEF. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. >> CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE HOMESTEAD COMPONENT? WE JUST CHECKED A BCAD AND HE HAS THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ON BCAD. IS THAT WHAT YOU ALL ARE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU APPLY A LIEN IN THE CASE THAT THEY
DO NOT PAY THE DEMOLITION COSTS? >> I WILL TRY TO ANSWER, GOOD I THINK LEGAL MAY BE A MORE WILLING TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
THE LAW DOES NOT ALLOW ANY ENTITY TO PUT A LIEN ON A PROPERTY THAT IS HOMESTEAD.
>> FOR EXAMPLE, IF MR. GARCIA CAN'T COME UP WITH THE $8,000 TO PAY FOR THE DEMOLITION, THE CITY CANNOT PLACE A LIEN FOR HIS PROPERTY FOR NOT PAYING THE
$8,000? >> THAT IS CORRECT. WE CAN STILL CONTINUE TO INVOICE IT, BUT WE CAN'T PUT A MECHANICAL LIEN OR A LIEN ON THAT PROPERTY.
NOW -- AGAIN, THAT'S FOR THE MAIN STRUCTURE ON THE PROPERTY.
IF THERE IS ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OR A SHED, THAT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
>> CASTILLO: INTERESTING. AND ALSO IN TERMS OF THE REQUEST FOR A WAIVER, MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE HAS TO BE A PROCEDURAL OR LEGAL ISSUE.
CAN YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF A PROCEDURAL ISSUE IN TERMS OF WAIVING THE
ABATEMENT FEE? >> I NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR
QUESTION. >> CASTILLO: MY QUESTION IS MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE CAN BE A WAIVER IN TERMS OF THE ABATEMENT FEE IF THERE IS A PROCEDURAL AND/OR LEGAL FEE. MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PROCEDURAL
ISSUE. >> SO CORRECT. SO IF ANYBODY APPEALS THE FEES THAT WE IS ASSESS. IT DOES GO TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO REVIEW IT. IF WE MISS THE PROCESS OR WE DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT NOTIFICATION, IF WE DIDN'T FOLLOW THE DUE PROCESS 100% CORRECTLY THEY DO POTENTIALLY WAIVE IT OR WORK A SETTLEMENT WITH THE OWNER.
>> CASTILLO: OKAY. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU WALKING ME THROUGH THAT. THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. AND ACTUALLY, IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU ALL, I'D LIKE TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DR. MARTINEZ TO COME UP AND JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCESS WITH HOME FIRES AND HOW HE WORKS WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IF YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK FOR US ALSO, SIR, I WOULD
APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR, THANK YOU TO OUR CITY COUNCILMEMBERS MEMBERS AND TO CHIEF FRAUSTO.
JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK THOUGHTS. NUMBER ONE FROM A RED CROSS
[01:20:02]
PERSPECTIVE, I WANT TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO ACTUALLY HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF HOME FIRE RESPONSE FOR ANY CITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT, SIR, LIKE YOUR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS TO WHY.
PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK WHY. WE HAVE AVERAGE, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE AGGREGATE NUMBER, INCLUDING MULTI-FAMILY FIRES, EIGHT RESPONSES PER DAY.
AND THE REASONS, THE TOP REASONS WHY WE SEE HOME FIRES IS WHY I DON'T COOK.
THEY'RE COOKING ACCIDENTS. THAT'S WHY I PREFER TO EAT OUT.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THE SUBSEQUENT REASONS IMPACTING HOMES AND WHY SAN ANTONIO HAS SUCH LARGE RATES THERE IS A CORRELATION WITH SOCIOECONOMIC AND HOME FIRES. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT INDIVIDUALS USING SPACE HEATERS AND OVENS TO EAT HOMES, THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES.
SO WHAT WE FOCUS ON ARE THE PREVENTION SIDE, FREE SEMITIC DETECTOR, RESOURCES LIKE THAT. WE PARTNER VERY WELL WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE CITY AND OTHER ENTITIES TO IDENTIFY THOSE SPECIFIC TARGET AREAS WHERE WE'RE SEEING UPTICK. OUR DATA OF COURSE IS ALWAYS BEHIND.
SO WHEN WE LOOK AT LAST FISCAL YEAR, THE TOP THREE SAID CODES ALL OVERLAP DISTRICT 7 WITH THE TOP BEING I WANT TO SAY 7822 AI BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING OUR SECOND YEAR OF A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PILOT PROGRAM WITHIN THAT DISTRICT AT THE JOE WARD COMMUNITY CENTER. WE'RE FOCUSING ON BUILDING RESILIENCY.
WHEN WE KNOW HOME FIRES IMPACT LOW SOCIOECONOMIC POPULATIONS, NOT ONLY ARE THEY CLOSER TO HOME FIRES, BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT THESE RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE. WE'VE CREATED A COALITION OF NON-PROFITS, CORPORATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO HELP BUILD RESILIENCY WITHIN SAN ANTONIO WHERE EVERY SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS GOING FROM SPECIFIC AREA TO AREA AND DELIVERING FREE RESOURCES UNDER THE FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH, HOUSING, HUNGER AND EDUCATION.
SO WE HAVE DONORS LIKE USAA, VALERO AND OTHERS WHO WANT TO PARTNER TO PROVIDE THIS AND WHAT I'M WORKING ON IS WORKING WITH THE CITY, WORKING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY THE AREAS SO THAT WE CAN DIRECT OUR RESOURCES AND EFFORTS TO BUILDING MORE RESILIENCY WITHIN THOSE AREAS. SO THAT'S A QUICK HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW. I APPRECIATE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING THAT I COULD ADDRESS AT THIS TIME?
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU. I DO HAVE A QUESTION. SO FOR EVERY HOME FIRE YOU
DO GET CONTACTED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? >> SO NOT FOR EVERY HOME FIRE, BUT FOR THE MAJORITY. SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CHIEF FRAUSTO AND I MET ABOUT SIXISH MONTHS AGO. WE CAN ONLY RESPOND IF WE'RE INVITED OUT.
WE CAN BE RIGHTED OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BY THE CLIENT THEMSELVES OR BY AN ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT WE WON'T JUST SHOW UP. AS LONG AS SOMEONE INVITES US OUT WE WILL BE THERE FOR SUPPORT. SUPPORT CAN LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF THE CLIENT. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF, BUT IMMEDIATE IN SOME CASES WITH LAST UP TO THREE MONTHS.
SO IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY RELIEF. BUT TO THE POINT WITH THE VULNERABLE POPULATION, THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS THAT WE SERVE UNFORTUNATELY A HOME FIRE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING HOMELESS OR HAVING REALLY NO RESOURCES AT ALL, RIGHT, AS A NEXT STEP. SO WE TRY AND PROVIDE AS MUCH AS WE CAN. WE NEVER JUST DROP IN. WE'LL ALWAYS DO A HANDOFF WHETHER IT'S WITH THE CITY, ANOTHER NON-PROFIT OR SOMEONE ELSE, BUT ONCE THEY'RE IN OUR CARE WE WILL NEVER JUST DROP AND LEAVE. WE ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A HANDOFF TO SOMEONE WHO CAN CONTINUE PROVIDING SERVICES AND SUPPORT, BUT OVERALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TYPICALLY ALWAYS DOES A PHENOMENAL JOB OF REACHING OUT WITH US, ALLOWING US TO PARTNER IN THEIR RESPONSE.
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE EXPANSION AND IN TERMS OF WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP LOOKS LIKE WITH RED CROSS AND THE CITY IN TERMS OF CONNECTING RESIDENTS. THOSE ARE MY ONLY COMMENTS IN TERMS OF RED CROSS.
I DIDN'T WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO ONE PIECE. I WAS JUST GOING TO CALL AMIN AND SAY WE'RE HERE. I GUESS, RIGHT, IF THERE'S A FEE BEING ISSUED TO AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS A HOMESTEAD, CAN WE EXPLORE JUST NOT APPLYING AN ABATEMENT FEE? FOR EXAMPLE -- I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO THE 8,000-DOLLAR FEE FOR MR. GARCIA. IF HE HAS A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND ESSENTIALLY IF HE FAILS IT TO PAY IT THERE WILL NOT BE A LIEN PLACED ON HIS PROPERTY AND THERE'S ALREADY HARDSHIP THAT THE FAMILY IS EXPERIENCING. I'M JUST USING THIS AS AN EXAMPLE. WHY APPLY AN 8,000 FEE? I GUESS MY ASK IS IF WE COULD EXPLORE FOR OCCUPIED STRUCTURES THAT EXPERIENCE A FIRE THAT WE DO NOT APPLY THE ABATEMENT FEE TO ADD TO THE HARDSHIP OF THE RESIDENT.
I GUESS TO CLEAN THAT UP, I THINK THAT'S THE INTENT OF MY COMMENT.
>> SO WE HAVE TO AT LEAST INVOICE THEM. IT IS CODIFIED IN THE CODE
[01:25:07]
THAT WE NEED TO SUBMIT THAT INVOICE TO THE OWNER OR THE PROPERTY OWNER.THE REASON FOR THAT IS WE ARE NOT USING OUR RESOURCES. WE ARE PAYING A THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTOR, WE ARE SPENDING MONEY ON IT AND IT'S PUBLIC MONEY, SO WE HAVE TO INVOICE
FOR IT OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT IF WE CAN'T COLLECT IT. >> CASTILLO: I APPRECIATE
THAT. >> YES, MA'AM. >> MUNGIA: ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. WELL, I THINK THERE WAS SOME GOOD FEEDBACK TODAY. AMIN, YOUR JOB'S NOT OVER YET.
WE STILL HAVE TO DO ANOTHER CHECK IN ON THAT, BUT WE APPRECIATE THE ANSWERS AND
WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS. >> I'M GOOD, THANK YOU.
>> MUNGIA: ALL RIGHTY, FOLKS. THAT WAS ALSO JUST FOR BRIEFING, SO THE TIME IS NOW 11:29, AND THE MEETING OF THE PCDC COMMITTEE IS NOW ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.