SAN ANTONIO – The city is looking to fix homes in San Antonio and they are starting with the roofs.
San Antonio Under One Roof is a potential citywide project, but for now, it's a pilot program focused on replacing old roofs of disadvantaged homeowners is District 1 with white or light roofs.
"Basically, we want to reflect the heat off the roof, reflect the sunlight as much as possible," District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino said. "So what we're trying to do to these roofs is trying to show something as simple as a color change, not the material, just a color change makes a huge impact."
The roof repair program will not only help the disadvantaged to protect their homes and keep them in their homes longer. Trevino said it will also help with electric bills and create jobs.
And, with the help of the University of Texas at San Antonio, they will monitor and collect the utility data from these homes in hopes of maybe in the future proposing this as a citywide project..
"Most people don't realize that most homes have difficulty being insured if they don't have the proper roof," said Trevino. "And this will help them get insured, help lower their bills. It will also help teach the community this is the proper way, the best way to do a roof in San Antonio."
The city will start with 10 homes for this pilot program and construction is already set to begin next month.
Tobin Hill resident Martin Kushner said he believes the program is a great idea.
Last year, Kushner and his wife decided they needed to get a new roof and they opted for a light color that would reflect light.
"A whitish light would be much more effective, and it didn't cost anymore," said Kushner. "It was a good choice in many ways, so we're very happy with it, and we feel cooler upstairs, too, which is great."