Page 8 - BB_Sept_2018

A Message from

the Executive Vice President

San Antonio’s Affordable Housing Crisis
I had the pleasure of working with members of the Mayor’s Housing
Policy Task Force over the past several months and I applaud the work
that Mayor Nirenberg and the Task Force Members have completed
to date. Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Jim Bailey, Gene Dawson, Jr., Maria
Antonietta Berriozabal and Noah Garcia have invested countless hours
in researching solutions to San Antonio’s affordable housing crisis.

Kristi Sutterfield Gene Dawson with Pape-Dawson Engineers and Noah Garcia with
Executive Vice President Vantage Bank Texas served on the five-member Housing Policy Task Force
and both have been long time supporters of the Association. We are very
grateful for their leadership and service. Several GSABA members also
served on the Technical Working Groups to include GSABA Vice President
Ed Berlanga, Texas Homes; GSABA Past President’s John Friesenhahn, Imagine Homes and Jim Leonard,
Greenboro Homes, Debra Guerrero, The NRP Group, and Natalie Griffith with Habitat for Humanity.
The Housing Policy Task Force analyzed the demographic, economic, and housing conditions in
San Antonio and determined that housing costs were increasing much faster than incomes.
The Housing Policy Task Force identified five action items that I want to share with you:

1. Develop a Coordinated Housing System
2. Increase City Investment in Housing with a 10-Year Funding Plan
3. Increase Affordable Housing Production, Rehabilitation and Preservation
4. Protect and Promote Neighborhoods

5. Ensure Accountability with the Public
Along with the five action items, they also have recommended a timeline for implementation and
provided key statistics on the economic impact of housing and a 10-year funding plan. This crisis is not
going to go away and we all need to be aware of the impediments to homeownership and affordable
rental units. Higher property taxes and the gentrifying of our neighborhoods should be a concern for all
of us, regardless of income.
If you would like to have a copy of this report, please email me at Ksutterfield@sabuilders.com. I will
be happy to share the link with you.
Thank you for being a member of GSABA and for all you do for the residential construction industry.
Together, we can make a difference and make our voices heard.

Warm Regards,

8 SEPTEMBER 2018 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION