City of San Antonio officials announced on December 12 that more than 1,000 new rental homes, supported by the Affordable Housing Bond, are currently under construction and are expected to be available in the market between Fall 2024 and Fall 2025.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed his satisfaction with the progress, stating, "With over 1,000 new homes under construction this year, the affordable housing bond has reached a critical milestone that will leave a lasting legacy for the long-term wellbeing of our residents. I look forward to seeing the continued development of a city where people, regardless of their circumstance, can find a place they can call home."

Of the newly constructed homes, nearly 900 will be designated for families earning at or less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), which amounts to $47,460 for a family of three. Additionally, 41 homes will serve as permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless.

District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo expressed her excitement for the project, highlighting that "once it is completed, nearly 200 families will directly benefit and thrive from the affordability of these homes." She also emphasized the importance of on-site services such as health and wellness screenings to support communities in getting ahead in their lives.

The announcement was made at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Culebra Road Apartments, a new apartment community being constructed by Tirol Housing. The community will consist of 199 homes available for rent, with 178 homes for families earning at or less than 60 percent AMI and 21 deeply affordable homes for those earning at or less than 30 percent AMI ($23,750 for a family of three). The project is backed by a $1.75 million investment from the 2022 Affordable Housing Bond program.

Veronica Garcia, the director of the City’s Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, stated, "We are closing out the year knowing that the City of San Antonio is on track to expand affordable housing options in communities across the city."

The Affordable Housing Bond, first approved by voters one year ago, supports projects falling under five priority categories, including homeownership rehabilitation, rental housing improvement, affordable rental home construction, permanent supportive housing, and homeownership production.

Projects approved under the bond adhere to specific criteria, prioritizing deeply affordable units, universal design, sustainability features, high-speed internet and mobile infrastructure, geographic availability, and the inclusion of on-site resident services.

Culebra Road Apartments is an exemplar of such projects, providing on-site residential services such as after-school activities, financial literacy training, employment services, and health and wellness screenings. The design also incorporates a central boiler system to eliminate water service costs for all renters in the community.