SAN ANTONIO HOUSING AUTHORITY

The San Antonio Housing Authority has changed its name to Opportunity Home San Antonio.

The San Antonio Housing Authority's new name aims to signal a new era and distance it from discriminatory housing policies.

Residents who were displaced by a fire nearly a month ago are now filing a civil lawsuit, claiming their apartment complex’s lack of care caused the fire and should compensate renters affected.

The application is just the first step in a long and complicated process to receive the federal housing subsidy.

Although it's been a month since SAHA's eviction moratorium ended, no evictions have started. SAHA and the city are committed to helping families in need.

More than 4,000 families who receive public housing assistance or live in properties managed by the agency are behind on rent.

After being extended five times over the past two years, San Antonio's eviction moratorium is coming to an end on Feb. 28.

Derailed primarily by public outcry, instead of a public-private partnership, the San Antonio Housing Authority is asking the community to “Reimagine Alazan,” a master plan for the city’s oldest and most historic housing project.

The season of giving is here and the San Antonio Housing Authority is making sure local children and elderly residents in need get presents this Christmas.

More than 2,700 SAHA residents owe millions in debt.

The San Antonio Housing Authority has extended its eviction moratorium for its more than 10,000 tenants. Back rent is owed by more than 2,700.

The San Antonio Housing Authority is extending the eviction moratorium for more than 10,000 residents in its public or mixed-income housing communities through March 1, 2022.

Here's what families need to know.

The San Antonio Housing Authority is set to receive $1million for a Wi-Fi expansion project pending approval from Congress.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Housing Authority is asking the community for donations to help some of the city’s most vulnerable residents in the aftermath of historic winter weather, which left many with no access to necessities. SAHA is asking community members to donate water, non-perishable food items and adult diapers for elderly and disabled residents who were severely affected by the winter storms. They also said many of these residents have limited mobility or transportation to go to grocery stores. SAHA is accepting donations at its main office, located at 820 S. Flores Street, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The housing authority has partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank to coordinate a food box drop-off at several properties.

Some of San Antonio's most vulnerable residents are in need of basic necessities after losing power and water and seeing the limited food they did have expire, according to the San Antonio Housing Authority. All 99 of SAHA's properties have been without water or electricity to some degree. Some residents were given the option to relocate to a hotel but many decided to shelter in place, according to Andres Picon of the San Antonio Express News.

click image Facebook / San Antonio Housing AuthorityMany elderly and disabled San Antonians are still struggling to gain access to basic necessities such as food and water following this week’s historic winter storm, and the San Antonio Housing Authority is determined to help.The Housing Authority is asking for donations of water, non-perishable food items and adult diapers during a weekend drive held at the main entrance of SAHA headquarters. In addition to the goods collected by the SAHA, food boxes will also be dropped off to residents at several SAHA properties as part of a partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank.Many San Antonio Housing Authority residents live on a limited income, and are now faced with expired groceries, ongoing outages and limited mobility or transportation to visit grocery stores.Donations can be dropped off at the Housing Authority headquarters — located at 820 S. Flores Street — on Friday and Saturday between noon and 4 p.m.The San Antonio Housing Authority provides housing assistance to over 65,000 children, adults and seniors through its Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Mixed-Income housing programs.

click image Vimeo / San Antonio Housing AuthorityA screen capture from SAHA's 100 Labor virtual groundbreaking video. San Antonio Housing Authority has broken ground on a new residential complex intended to expand affordable housing near downtown San Antonio.SAHA conducted a virtual groundbreaking Thursday for the new 100 Labor complex in partnership with Franklin Development. The new development — in the works for two decades — will create a master-planned community called Victoria Commons where the Victoria Courts public housing project once stood.The multi-family units will offer affordable accommodations for downtown service-industry workers, SAHA officials said.“When SAHA first began the revitalization effort of this neighborhood, we wanted to be intentional about the atmosphere we create, because we promised a better tomorrow for our families," SAHA chief legal and real estate officer Tim Alcott said in a press release.The development will consist of 220 units along with amenities such as a coffee bar, pet grooming center, fitness center, conditioning studio and on-site retail.“We’re trying to maintain as much affordability as we can," Franklin Development Vice President Ryan Wilson said in a statement. "We realize the importance of maintaining affordable units in the urban core.”100 Labor Virtual Groundbreaking from San Antonio Housing Authority on Vimeo.

In 90-second bursts, often interrupted by technical difficulties, a stream of community activists, academics, and public housing tenants commented on SAHA’s plans to demolish and redevelop the Alazán-Apache Courts , San Antonio’s oldest and largest public housing development, with most opposing the plan. The conflict over the Alazán-Apache Courts dates back to 2017, when SAHA announced its plans, but it’s grown more heated in recent months. Anemic federal funding for public housing repairs won’t suffice, the agency says, while the redevelopment project would unlock access to low-income housing tax credits. It’s also easier to concentrate social services in public housing developments. In September, the Alazán-Apache Courts were listed as one of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a D.C.-based nonprofit.

SAN ANTONIO – As cars snaked past the San Antonio Housing Authority office Wednesday to be loaded with presents, it capped off a San Antonio holiday story fit for a movie. We became Whoville, or the North Pole -- whatever,” said SAHA Director of Community Development Initiatives Joel Tabar with a chuckle. The piles of toys handed out to children living in SAHA public housing properties were there, ironically enough, because of a theft, which ignited the city’s generosity in a big way. The donations included $17,000 in monetary contributions, he said, and SAHA was able to invite families at all of its public housing properties to register to get toys for their kids. Looking over Wednesday’s distribution event, Nieto called it “a blessing.”“The character of the city is what happened here,” Nieto said.

San Antonio – EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story misidentified the event for residents at Alazan Apache Courts as a “toy drive” and, based on information from SAHA, included an incorrect tally of how many presents and children were included. In a true display of the holiday spirit, the collective generosity of San Antonio residents on Sunday far outweighed the greed of thieves who looted a toy distribution event for needy children. The event, meant to benefit about 60 children at the Alazan Apache Courts, had roughly half of its gifts stolen Friday night. Members of the Christian motorcycle group, Servants of the Cross, already had a toy drive planned for Sunday for their own toy distribution program when they heard about the theft. RELATED: Over half of the toys collected for Alazan Apache Courts toy drive were stolen, SA Housing Authority says

click to enlarge Ben OlivoThe Alazan-Apache Courts is San Antonio's largest and oldest public housing development. More than half of the toys collected for children living at the Alazan-Apache Courts public housing complex were stolen a day before a holiday gift distribution planned for Saturday. The event continued with "limited toys to provide families," according to a statement from San Antonio Housing Authority. The annual drive was originally expected to provide gifts to more than 200 disadvantaged children. The toys were stolen during a Friday break-in at the Courts' community room, according to the statement.

Over half of the toys collected for children living at the Alazan Apache Courts were stolen just one day before they were to be handed out, according to the San Antonio Housing Authority. The distribution event scheduled for Saturday afternoon will still go on as planned, according to SAHA. “Volunteers will continue with the toy distribution with the limited toys to provide families with something for the holidays,” SAHA said in a statement. The toys were stolen during a break-in on Dec. 18 in the community room, SAHA officials said. The holiday assistance provided to the families at the Alazan Apache Courts is part of a 20-year tradition, according to SAHA’s website.

The group that included Alazán Courts residents turned right on West Peden Alley, as a small caravan occupied a lane on Flores and honked their horns. It also doesn’t have the funding to maintain and repair its aging public housing stock, the agency says. “We are insulted that he thinks that they need to explain to us about the affordable housing crisis,” Sanchez said. At Alazán, the new apartments are projected to have some public housing units, but also market-rate units. The agency says current Alazán Courts residents will have first dibs at one of the new apartments, should they choose to return to the site.

click to enlarge San Antonio Heron / Ben OlivoDavid Nisivoccia, SAHA’s CEO and president, addresses the Housing Commission last year. David Nisivoccia, the San Antonio Housing Authority’s (SAHA) CEO and president since 2015, is expected to be named as the Denver Housing Authority’s executive director today. In recent weeks, the Denver Housing Authority named Nisivoccia as its sole finalist after conducting a national search for a chief executive. Currently, SAHA has more than 8,800 apartments in the planning stage, or it is finishing in terms of construction, across San Antonio. The San Antonio Heron is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to informing its readers about the changes to downtown and the surrounding communities.

SAN ANTONIO – With golden shovels in their hands, some local movers and shakers broke ground on what is expected to be a golden opportunity for some families in need. The San Antonio Housing Authority held the ceremony Wednesday to symbolically mark the beginning of construction on what it calls “affordable housing in the Alamo Ranch area.”An artist’s rendering, courtesy of SAHA, shows the exterior of the complex. The location along Loop 1604 and just a stone’s throw from Alamo Ranch, was chosen by SAHA to give people options. SAHA will look at income and other factors to determine who qualifies for the affordable housing units. For information on applying, contact the San Antonio Housing Authority.

Bexar Countys five justices of the peace signed an order this week agreeing to a moratorium on evictions amid the economic upheaval caused by coronavirus spread. The moratorium order on evictions came after Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff declared a public health emergency last week. Wolffs declaration included a direction to halt evictions in the county, which includes San Antonio and other smaller cities, as well as suspend jury panels. The court is still open to receive filings and accept fee payments, Wentworth said, but there are more employees there than there are civilians. That should be discussed at next legislative session.Evictions were a problem in San Antonio long before the virus was, he said.

San Antonio – In a series of moves meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the San Antonio Housing Authority laid out several precautionary measures to limit in-person interactions and keep non-criminal tenants in their homes for public housing and Beacon mixed-income housing. In an announcement on the its website, the SAHA Executive Team listed several actions that will take effect on Monday, March 16. Suspension of Notices to Vacate and lease violationsSuspension of evictions for non criminal activitySuspension of transfers, move-ins, move-outsSuspension of routine work ordersSuspension of housekeeping inspectionsSuspension of food distributionsSuspension of late feesSuspension of all resident activities to include Resident Council and Youth ActivitiesClosure of all property management offices and community rooms; residents should email or callFor residents at elderly communities, Metro Health will allow food to be taken into their unitsEmergency work orders will require additional troubleshooting via phone callsExisting repayment agreements will be extendedRecertification deadlines will be extendedRent payments should be made either online or by mailVisitors for social purposes, especially at elderly properties, are discouraged; Medically-related visitors and caregivers may continue to visit residentsPest control services will be conducted on the exterior of buildings and common areasPest control services will temporarily be suspended in residents unitsAccording to their website, SAHA provides housing assistance to more than 65,000 children, adults and seniors through its Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher and Mixed-Income housing programs. The Agency also has 525 employees with an annual operating budget of $186 million.

San Antonio Housing Authority to pause evictions for noncriminal reasons amid coronavirus pandemicThe Fair Avenue Apartments is owned by San Antonio Housing Authority, which has announced it will not evict low-income residents unable to pay their rent in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The Fair Avenue Apartments is owned by San Antonio Housing Authority, which has announced it will not evict low-income residents unable to pay their rent in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Bob Owen /Staff Photographer Photo: Bob Owen /Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close San Antonio Housing Authority to pause evictions for noncriminal reasons amid coronavirus pandemic 1 / 1 Back to GallerySan Antonio Housing Authority will not evict low-income residents unable to pay their rent in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the agency has announced. At the San Antonio Housing Authority, we prioritize the health and safety of our communities and want to ensure the well-being of our residents and staff, the agency said. San Antonio officials have confirmed two local cases of COVID-19 unrelated to the evacuees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

SAN ANTONIO – In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we want to know what the secret is to lasting love. (San Antonio Housing Authority)Nancy and Jesus have been married for 47 years and counting. (San Antonio Housing Authority)“Respect each other, trust each other and love each other," the couple says. (San Antonio Housing Authority)“Be friends first and support each other through thick and thin," the couple says. (San Antonio Housing Authority)“Have patience with each other and respect each other over everything,” the couple says.

SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Housing Authority has broken ground on a new low-income development on the citys West Side. On Tuesday, SAHA announced it has begun construction for The Artisan at Ruiz in an effort to expand affordable housing on the West Side. To learn more, click on the video above. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

The San Antonio Housing Authority has broken ground on a new low-income development on the city's West Side. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Housing Authority Board of Commissioners has approved $486 million to build and pursue financing for 14 affordable housing developments in the area. Officials said no other modern developments in the San Antonio area will offer such deeply subsidized units. ARDC Ruiz to obtain Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs tax credits for Artisan at Ruiz -- a proposed $21 million multi-family development. Mira Vista Apartments: $18 million for an approximately 300-unit, multi-family project located at 1226 Mira Vista Drive. "Today, we commend the Board of Commissioners for entrusting the San Antonio Housing Authority to actively pursue partnerships that increase affordable housing options for the residents of San Antonio," SAHA President and CEO David Nisivoccia said.

Over the last six months, SAHA has seen roach infestations, rat infestations and fleas at its properties and has paid thousands of dollars for bait boxes and rodent exclusion. At Cassiano Homes, SAHA spent more than $38,000 for pest control. She said the agency spent what it had to to solve the problem. She said factors that led to the problem included bad housekeeping in some units, questionable pest control plans and bad SAHA management. SAHA's budget this fiscal year for pest control is around $175,000.