Bexar County is situated on the edge of the Texas hill country in the central region of the State, the heart of Texas. Bexar County's primary industries and employers include the federal government, military installations, medical facilities, tourism, associated businesses, limited manufacturing, trade, distribution and electronics. The Urban County is composed of the unincorporated areas and 10 incorporated cities.
Bexar County's Consolidated Plan presents a strategic vision for housing and community development in its Urban County Designation. The Consolidated Plan includes its application for funds under three different HUD formula programs for a total of $3,158,000: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Emergency Shelter Grant program (ESG) and the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME). These funds will support activities for the 1995 program year and consist primarily of infrastructure projects.
The Plan was developed with active citizen participation of a fifty-one (51)
member Consolidated Plan committee established by Bexar County Commissioners
Court. Bexar County Commissioners Court determined that the lead agency in
development of the Consolidated Plan was to be the Department of Housing and
Human Services (formerly Community Resources). The constitution of the
committee was reflective of agencies providing housing, education, medical and
shelter assistance to Bexar County's low-income population such as the Bexar
County Housing Authority, San Antonio Housing Authority, the San Antonio
Independent Living Services, the Children's Shelter of San Antonio, the City of
Somerset, the Kirby Senior Center Corporation, Alamo Area Mutual Housing
Association, and the Thelma Area Neighborhood Corporation. Organizations
within Bexar County were mailed a survey requesting information regarding the
populations served, the number of people receiving services from their
organizations, the kinds of services provided and the vision they had regarding
the needs of populations for the next five years. The committee reviewed
information regarding the demographics of Bexar County, particularly, the Urban
County designation jurisdiction. Information regarding the geography,
infrastructure, available services and quality of life environment of the
jurisdiction was discussed and evaluated. Five public hearings were held
throughout Bexar County as a preparatory phase of the citizen participation
process. The hearings were held in the month of February in each quadrant of
Bexar County at the following locations: the Harlandale Civic Center, the
Sacred Heart Civic Center, the Casa Helotes Senior Center, the Navajo Civic
Center and Commissioners Court. A complete Consolidated Plan was published for
public review on June 11, 1995. A brief summary of the Plan was printed in the
San Antonio Express and News Newspaper and copies were available for review at
public facilities throughout the County. A public hearing on the plan was held
on June 7, 1995.
Urban Bexar County is composed of the unincorporated areas and the incorporated cities which have joined the Urban County designation. The total population for Urban Bexar County is 463,885. The participating cities are China Grove, Converse, Elmendorf, Grey Forest, Helotes, Kirby, Leon Valley, Shavano Park, Somerset and Universal City.
Many Bexar County residents living in the unincorporated areas do not have access to potable water, indoor plumbing or sewer facilities. The underdeveloped infrastructure has seriously impeded housing development activities and economic development. Very limited public transportation is available outside the city limits of San Antonio, making access to employment, health care services and higher education more difficult.
The 1990 Census identified the median income level for families living in
Bexar County as being $30,369.91. A total of 38,430 families were identified as
living below the median income level. The largest concentration of poverty was
identified in South Bexar County. In 1990, more than 32 percent of the
population living in unincorporated Bexar County had incomes below the median
income level. Participating cities in Bexar County were identified as having 37
percent of the population living below the median income level.
Bexar County is impacted by the employment trends of San Antonio. Very limited employment opportunity exists outside of San Antonio. Governmental and service industries dominate the local economy. The 1990 Census reported that 14,870 citizens living outside the city limits were unemployed. A need for infrastructure exists as the highest priority for the Urban County Designation.
The two critical housing needs identified in the Bexar County Consolidated Plan are: (1) increasing affordable housing stock; and (2) rehabilitation of existing housing stock. The provision of affordable housing stock will need to be addressed through new construction of affordable housing and utility assistance to reduce cost burdens. To address housing quality/condition problems, funds are needed to help low-income families maintain and repair their homes. The highest need populations identified in this field included small renter families with a cost burden of 30%, large overcrowded rental families and elderly renters living in a home with physical defects.
Low wages in Bexar County have resulted in the development of homes in the $20,000 - $50,000 price range. The inability of families to save money for a down payment, inspection, points and prepaid expenses prevents many from buying a home.
The 1990 Census identified 455,832 homes in Bexar County (including the City of San Antonio). Owner occupied homes totaled 236,411 and rental occupied homes totaled 172,632. The vacancy rate in owner occupied homes totaled 3.5% and 1.6% in rental occupied homes. The Urban County Designation has a total of 2,719 identified substandard homes.
Affordable housing has been identified as a major priority by the extremely low- and low-income families, the elderly, persons with HIV/AIDS and persons with disabilities in Bexar County. The Housing Authority of Bexar County has noted an increase in the request for housing assistance.
The most common wage earned for homeowners in Bexar County ranged from $10,000 to $20,000. The percentage of minorities and women who are renters is higher than that of whites according to data gathered by the State of Texas. The majority of small family renters are single parent households, usually with female heads of household. According to data available, 16.4% of the total number of households in the County are headed by females.
Many units currently available (predominantly found within the City of San Antonio) are expected to be converted to fair market price as the demand for rental space increases.
According to the 1990 Census, Bexar County has no homeless individuals living in its urban County jurisdiction. As in large cities, shelters and services for the homeless are located in the central part of the city. It is assumed that homeless individuals residing in Bexar County have moved to the inner city where the services are located. San Antonio reported a homeless population of 11,751 in 1994. The homeless population consists of individuals, many of whom have additional social barriers such as a mental disability and substance abuse. Families, accompanied youths, domestic abuse victims, veterans, refugees and undocumented workers are also part of the homeless populations served at the shelters. Unaccompanied youth represent a growing homeless population in Bexar County. Bexar County has continuously provided ESG entitlements to homeless shelter providers within the City of San Antonio due to the possible migration of homeless to facilities providing services. Since the inception of the ESG Program in Bexar County, 5 centers have been assisted which provide services to special need populations and youth.
Housing assistance through Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers for the extremely low- and low-income families in Bexar County has experienced a growth 90 times its size from 1990 through 1995.
Currently, the Housing Authority of Bexar County is assisting 882 families under the Section 8 Certificate program and 221 under the Voucher program. Another 4,000 families are on a waiting list for housing. The Housing Authority of Bexar County does not have specific public housing facilities that are geared toward providing housing for a special need population. Federal provisions are complied with under the Section 8 program which prioritizes the elderly and disabled on the Section 8 waiting list.
Bexar County Department of Housing and Human Services (formerly Community Resources) has provided utility assistance services under the Emergency Nutrition/Emergency Relief Program (ENTERP) to 365 families and under the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA) to 206 families in Fiscal Year 1994. No special provision exists in Bexar County to provide TBRA services.
The 1990 Census identified 23,975 elderly persons residing in Bexar County. Of this population, 13 percent live below the poverty level. The need for utility assistance for the elderly has been identified by the Bexar County Department of Housing and Human Services as a priority. The Senior Citizen Utility Relief Program (SCURP) has provided assistance to 344 low-income elderly households in the 1994 program year and 265 citizens through May, 1995.
In 1994, Bexar County (including the City of San Antonio) identified over 2,000 persons affected with the HIV/AIDS virus. There is a need for a continuum of housing with degrees of supportive services for persons affected by the virus.
It is estimated that 21 percent of Bexar County's total population suffers from severe mental retardation while 8.6 percent of the population classify themselves as disabled workers. A large number of the disabled require constant care and housing units that are adaptable to special needs. There is a need for housing facilities and supportive services for the mentally and physically challenged.
Bexar County is not affected by any form of public policy which would serve as a barrier to the development, maintenance or improvement of affordable housing within its jurisdiction. The barrier which affects the provision of affordable housing within the Urban County Designation is a lack of funding. The lack of infrastructure compounds this issue, raising the cost of affordable housing development. Rural residents still rely on the use of wells, cess pools and dirt roads. Lack of access to potable water is a problem faced by many residents, many of whom meet the guidelines for extremely low- and low-income.
Foreclosed properties in Bexar County are now available to nonprofits for acquisition. These foreclosed properties have been used as incentive for nonprofits interested in providing affordable housing. Once these properties are acquired, the homes can be rehabilitated to meet Section 8 Housing Standards and resold as affordable housing to qualified low to moderate income families.
Bexar County has no data available regarding fair housing within its Urban County Designation. An analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice is being completed at this time to identify impediments that affect the location, availability and accessibility of housing, the current residential patterns and conditions. To date, no complaints have been received with regards to fair housing.
It is estimated that 41,540 homes in Bexar County contain lead based paint. These homes are occupied by low-income and moderate-income families.
Community development needs for Bexar County are: (1) the expansion of infrastructure through water, street, drainage and septic system programs; (2) conservation and expansion of existing housing stock, including rehabilitation and Weatherization programs, partnerships with nonprofits and housing counseling programs; (3) expansion of the quality and quantity of public service, with a focus on programs for at risk youth and the elderly; (4) economic development, including adult education and vocational training programs; and (5) the adequate use of public service facilities, including funding for direct operational and maintenance costs for public facilities providing services to the community and special needs groups.
The Bexar County Department of Housing and Human Services (formerly
Community Resources) will be responsible for the coordination and planning
process regarding community development needs. The Department of Housing and
Human Services receives all requests for funding of CDBG, HOME and ESG funds.
Serving as a clearinghouse for agencies interested in projects directed at
providing identified needs in Bexar County, the Department of Housing and Human
Services maintains close contact with the participating cities and Urban County
Neighborhood Associations throughout the program year to identify organizations
that might serve the need of the particular city or neighborhood.
Bexar County will use its federal funding to improve the quality of life for its citizens by establishing infrastructure necessary to access potable water, adequate transportation and improved housing. Through these improvements, Bexar County will provide a solid foundation for future growth in the areas of public service, economic development and public facilities.
Bexar County has identified as its most crucial need - the establishment of infrastructure. Other community development objectives focus on the provision of services which benefit extremely low- and low-income families and special need groups. Economic development projects which create meaningful employment such as day care centers and community centers, and funding for public facilities. Housing priorities and strategies are: rehabilitation of aging housing stock; increasing affordable housing stock through HOME projects; preventing homelessness through utility programs and the construction of a transitional living facility; and housing counseling.
To fund the rehabilitation of owner occupied homes. The five year goal is the rehabilitation of 80 owner occupied homes for extremely low- and low- income families.
To provide for safe, affordable rental housing for extremely low- and low-income households, including persons with disabilities. The five year goal is to make available 100 rental housing units for extremely low- and low-income households as well as, the preservation and development of affordable rental housing for 5 large families per year.
To provide funding for emergency shelter and transitional housing which help homeless persons establish housing and independent living. The five year goal includes the provision of funds to 5 programs in San Antonio that will provide a transition to permanent housing and independent living.
To provide effective housing counseling to extremely low- and low-income families to aid them in the lease or purchase of a home. Among the five year goals in this category are: to assist 500 persons in the purchase or lease of a home through homebuyer education counseling and support of nonprofit housing organizations; to utilize HOME for the provision of 15 affordable homes; and to continue capacity building for private and nonprofit organizations.
To provide programs that help low-income families from becoming homeless. The five year goal is for Bexar County to provide programs through the Housing Authority of Bexar County, Bexar County Department of Housing and Human Services (formerly Community Resources) and the transitional living facility of San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries, to prevent 800 low-income families from becoming homeless.
To identify the homeless individuals originating from Bexar County who seek services at shelters inside the city limits. The five year goal is the establishment of an intake procedure by which emergency shelters in San Antonio can identify the number of homeless that migrate from Bexar County into the city. The results will be used to formulate strategies/partnerships to address the homeless issue.
To provide technical support by serving as a clearinghouse for nonprofit organizations and public/private housing providers. The five year goal is to provide consistent assistance to nonprofit organization and public/private housing providers by distributing information on funding opportunities.
To improve the quality of life for all Bexar County residents through infrastructure projects. Among the five year goal in this category is provide funds for 5 water projects, 80 septic system projects, 2 street or bridge reconstruction projects and 1 drainage project.
To provide funding for utility programs that will benefit extremely low- and low-income families. Bexar County will provide funds for 5,000 persons to prevent utility disruption and homelessness over the next five years.
To provide funding for public service projects for extremely low- and low-income citizens and special need groups of Bexar County. The five year goal will provide funds for 5 public service programs under the CDBG program and 5 ESG public service programs.
To provide funds for economic development in Bexar County. The five year plan calls for 2 economic development projects in urban Bexar County.
To provide funds for public facilities in Bexar County. The five year plan will provide for 10 public facilities to receive funding for the maintenance, upkeep and construction of facilities that will benefit extremely low- and low- income individuals in Bexar County.
The Plan lays out the goals for working with existing resources in the County to provide programs and services that will focus on reducing poverty in Bexar County. Bexar County will focus on reducing poverty by partnering economic development projects with anti-poverty projects to battle against poverty.
Part of the task of implementing the strategic plan is to organize resources that will allow the plan to be executed. The Plan identifies stakeholders within federal, state, local and private organizations to execute housing and community development plans identified.
Coordination with State and Federal agencies will be assigned by Bexar County Commissioners Court to the appropriate department. The majority of housing and non-housing community development programs will be assigned to the Housing Authority of Bexar County and the Department of Housing and Human Services (formerly Community Resources).
The Department of Housing and Human Services will work in cooperation with the Housing Authority of Bexar County and the Housing Authority of San Antonio on future public and assisted housing program activities.
Bexar County will continue to strengthen existing relationships and build
new relationships with private and public health facilities, mental health
facilities and social service agencies at the local and state level. The
Department of Housing and Human Services will be charged with providing
technical support by serving as a clearinghouse for nonprofit organizations and
private/public program providers in Bexar County.
The Bexar County One-Year Action Plan proposes the use of the $3,158,000 from the three formula grant programs and funds from local sources. A total of 30 programs are expected to be funded in 1995. These funds will be spent on an array of infrastructure activities, including:
Approximately half of the projects in the One-Year Plan are to be undertaken by the participating cities. Funds allocated to these areas will be spent on infrastructure, housing, public service and public facilities as recommended by the Consolidated Plan Committee.
Several subrecipients of our 1995 CDBG and HOME funds utilized a combination of public and private sector funds to complete a project. Examples of public funds used for the 1995 program year include the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program and Housing Trust Funds through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and Section 811 Program and Youthbuild Program funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Highlights of Bexar County's housing goals for the first year include providing affordable housing for 74 households through rehabilitation and acquisition; providing 295 low income rental housing units through acquisition and new construction; provide for supervision and counseling services for 1526 homeless persons; and provide for operation of homeless facilities that will assist 148 individuals.
MAP 1 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 4 depicts a Neighborhood Segment and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 5 depicts a Neighborhood Segment and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 depicts a Neighborhood Segment and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 7 depicts a Neighborhood Segment and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 8 depicts a Neighborhood Segment and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
TABLE (without associated map) provides information about the project(s).
Mr. Jesse Flores
Program Manager
(210) 270-6780
