by | Published
SAN ANTONIO, Texas—The San Antonio City Council has approved the Casita Incentive Pilot Program, an initiative aimed at increasing affordable housing by encouraging the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as "casitas."
The program, funded by the 2022–2027 Affordable Housing Bond, is designed to help property owners build these smaller housing units, which can provide affordable living spaces for residents or allow family members to "age in place."
The program builds on the Casita Permit-Ready Plans, launched in fall 2024, which offer professionally designed, pre-approved blueprints to streamline the construction process.
The pilot program offers financial support to property owners based on income. To qualify, either the property owner must earn 80% or less of the area median income (AMI), or the future renter must earn 50% or less of the AMI.
The program includes two levels of construction incentives:
Level I: Provides up to $25,000 in construction incentives through a 5-year forgivable loan for property owners earning 80% AMI or less, or for renters earning 50% AMI or less.
Level II: Provides up to $35,000 in construction incentives through a 10-year forgivable loan for property owners earning 50% AMI or less, or for renters earning 30% AMI or less.
Both levels also offer financial assistance to cover design fees for the Permit-Ready Plans and include a waiver for most city permit fees.
Veronica Garcia, Director of the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, stated the program "represents the City’s commitment to creative solutions for increasing affordable housing throughout our city."
Applications for the Casita Incentive Pilot Program are expected to open in late September. More information is available at SA.gov/ADU.
