SAN ANTONIO — The ownership change of a downtown building has secured a crucial affordable housing location, addressing a pressing need as the city continues to develop.
Pete Alanis, Executive Director of the San Antonio Housing Trust, emphasized the importance of affordable housing in the area, stating, “Downtown is a major, you know, has a major need for affordable housing.”
Residents have expressed concern as affordable living options dwindle. The Soap Factory Apartments, one of the few remaining affordable locations, is set to be demolished to make way for the new Missions Downtown Stadium and District.
A resident of the Robert E. Lee Apartments remarked, “This is one of the few places downtown that is affordable,” highlighting the scarcity of such housing.
Alanis explained the motivation behind the acquisition, saying, “There was a concern that the property would have its land use restriction expire, and then the project could be, you know, you could see an increase of rents, which would probably lead to the displacement of folks.”
Looking to the future, Alanis said the plan is to initiate more projects, with efforts already underway in areas like Cattleman’s Square. “We are reimagining with community, or re-envisioning what the district of Cattleman will be like over the next 50 to 100 years. That’s kind of the goal, and we’re excited about the efforts there,” he said.
For now, the San Antonio Housing Trust is pleased to have secured at least one affordable housing location for the foreseeable future.