Today, City Council approved the creation of the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program to respond to exponential increases for housing assistance requests as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The new program is funded with $25 million from various sources. San Antonio residents can find more information on the program or apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance at https://www.sanantonio.gov/NHS
“I am proud of this vote to ensure that San Antonio workers who have been laid off or furloughed because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to pay their rent and stay in their homes,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “It is our duty to help our neighbors in times of need, and this crisis has created a true emergency.”
The new COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program mirrors the eligibility of the City’s Risk Mitigation Fund. To apply for assistance, San Antonio residents must:
* be the primary lease or mortgage holder in a multifamily unit, mobile home, or single-family home within the city limits of San Antonio
* provide proof of financial hardship that renders the household unable to pay rent, mortgage or utilities
* have an income at or below 100% of the Area Median Income. Under these Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, a San Antonio family earning $72,000 a year or below would qualify for the program.
The new program provides individuals and families rent, mortgage, utility and internet access assistance in the event of a hardship. Funds are paid directly to the landlord, financial institution, internet provider and utility provider. In addition, funds for groceries, medicine and fuel, in the form of cash assistance, will be distributed directly to individuals or families in an amount not to exceed $300.
“The City of San Antonio’s COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program is the most comprehensive housing and utility assistance program in the state because it builds upon the affordable housing priorities the City Council set long before the COVID-19 pandemic. We have long-standing programs and partnerships with local non-profits, community groups and housing providers so that we can together help more residents,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “These programs are needed now more than ever. The COVID-19 crisis has shaken the financial stability of tens of thousands of our residents. This program will help residents make ends meet as they try to stay healthy, keep a roof over their heads and get food on the table for their families.”
Direct assistance – in amounts ranging from $150 to $300 based on household size – is available. Direct assistance is possible through a partnership between the City and the Family Independence Initiative. The COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program is proposed to end on July 31, 2020.
“The reason San Antonio can adapt quickly to develop the largest emergency housing assistance program in the state, and maybe the country, is because we have been focused on making housing affordable for several years,” said District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales. “During this difficult time, families should not have to worry that they won’t have a place to live, especially as we tell residents to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Funding for the program comes from a variety of sources including the FY 2020 Affordable Housing Budget. That budget includes the balance currently available in the Risk Mitigation Fund, $536,233 from the Affordable Housing Fund, $5.2 million from HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and another $7.7 million from the Corona Virus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act CDBG funds. Original staff recommendation comes for funding the program comes from a variety of sources. The remaining $2 million has been requested from the San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation and the San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facilities Corporation.
“This virus does not discriminate and its harms go beyond public health. It has threatened the ability of people to take care of basic needs,” said District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran. “I am proud to see the City adopt this program that helps our most vulnerable residents pay their critical bills so they can stay in their homes and feed their families.”
In addition to staff funding recommendations, Council also approved an additional $9.2 million from various sources. This additional funding from the FY2020 Council Adopted Budget includes $2.5 million in the City’s Parking Enterprise Fund, $3.7 million from various Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, $1.5 million in San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facility Corporation funds, $500,000 from the San Antonio Housing Trust Finance Corporation, and a reallocation of $1 million of the San Antonio Housing Trust Under 1 Roof program funds for the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program. These funding sources will provide a total $25 Million for the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program.
“Many in our community are falling between the cracks of federal and state support. We, the local government, are their last line of defense for our community and so our policy recommendations should empower City Council’s decision. We know our community and should be able to provide an outlet of relief that is accessible to all,” said District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño.
A partnership between the City, the San Antonio Area Foundation, and the San Antonio Housing Trust created an online portal for financial contributions to the Emergency Housing Assistance Program. The San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation Board approved $500,000 of the $1,000,000 request this month. The San Antonio Area Foundation and the United Way of San Antonio created the COVID-19 Response Fund and awarded $100,000 from the fund to the Emergency Housing Assistance Program.
Celina Pena, President of the Housing Trust Foundation Board added, “The work done by the City staff and officials, along with partners both private and public are a start and a testament of our community’s compassion at work. Pulling resources together isn’t easy, it takes a village and as demonstrated today, we are on a collective journey of stabilizing those most vulnerable during this uncertain time with shelter.”
Individual smaller donations can be made online at https://app.mobilecause.com/e/
Donations received via the portal totaled $2300.00 in its inaugural weekend. These donations will be designated for individuals and families that need financial assistance for housing-related costs.
“Helping families to stay housed through this shelter-in-place pandemic is a crucial investment, which is why our COVID-19 Response Fund granted $100,000 to this effort,” said Marjie French, CEO of the San Antonio Area Foundation. French further stated, “Individuals and families can receive support for rent or mortgage payments through the City’s fund, along with groceries and fuel, which are the building blocks of stability.”
Before March 2020, the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department (NHSD) received on average 57 inquiries a week for housing assistance and last week that number increased to 5,370. All applicants who have requested assistance have been contacted via phone call or e-mail to fill out a full application. San Antonio residents can find more information on the program or apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance at https://www.sanantonio.gov/NHS
