In a significant moment that now resonates profoundly, former San Antonio City Councilmember Maria Berriozabal recounted her last discussion with esteemed voting rights advocate Willie Velasquez. Velasquez emphasized that the next phase of political empowerment for the Latino community must focus on holding elected leaders accountable. This insight is particularly relevant today as San Antonio evaluates candidates for mayor and city council in 2025, especially in light of the recent City Council decision to block an innovative affordable housing project in an affluent area of the city.
This decision not only forfeits $20 million in potential tax credits but also undermines efforts to address San Antonio’s longstanding issues of housing segregation and inequality. As Express-News columnist Elaine Ayala aptly stated, “At some point, we, as a growing city, an economically segregated city and a low-income city, need to figure out how to grow smarter.” The Editorial Board echoed this sentiment, labeling the decision as “foolish” and a “missed opportunity.”
The proposed project, Vista Park, aimed to provide 84 affordable housing units, alongside a pre-K facility and resources for financial literacy, workforce development, and health and wellness. Despite broad community support, the project was halted due to a state law requiring a three-quarter supermajority vote when a certain percentage of neighboring residents express opposition. In this instance, just 30 individuals living within 200 feet of the site voiced their disapproval, leading four council members to vote against the project, effectively terminating it.
Dr. Patton Dodd from the H.E. Butt Foundation, in his commentary for the San Antonio Report, illuminated the pressing housing challenges our city faces: “San Antonio has over 95,000 cost-burdened households and a significant shortage of affordable homes. With over 40% of local families struggling to make ends meet, we remain one of the poorest cities in the country.” Dr. Dodd underscores that while San Antonio has made strides with its Strategic Housing Implementation Plan and recently passed housing bonds, these positive efforts are rendered futile if a small group can obstruct projects that align with the community’s needs.
The timing of this decision is especially concerning given the findings of a June 2024 Brookings Institute study, which discusses how mid-sized cities like San Antonio can foster more equitable communities. The study, “How business leaders and civic partners in small and midsized U.S. cities can advance racial equity and inclusive economic growth,” reveals several insights that cast the Council’s decision in an even more disappointing light:
1. **Ground Zero for Inclusive Growth:** The study positions small and mid-sized cities as critical players in achieving inclusive economic growth. However, it acknowledges that legacies of structural racism and segregation continue to hinder their potential.
2. **Geography of Opportunity:** Housing discrimination and residential segregation have created unequal landscapes where access to quality education, jobs, healthcare, and essential services is dictated by one’s neighborhood. By blocking affordable housing in affluent areas, the Council perpetuates this cycle of inequality.
3. **Economic Costs of Segregation:** The economic ramifications of racial segregation and exclusion are staggering—researchers estimate that closing racial disparities could have generated over $25 trillion in additional economic value for the U.S. economy over the past three decades.
4. **Influence of Local Policies:** Local policies surrounding housing and development significantly affect inclusive growth. The Council’s decision directly alters the “rules of the road” that govern economic opportunity in San Antonio.
5. **Cross-Sector Collaboration:** Successful advancement of racial equity and inclusion hinges on partnerships between government, businesses, and community organizations. The Council’s decision contradicts the collaborative approach advocated by the Brookings study.
As San Antonio stands at a critical juncture—with discussions about a proposed new baseball stadium and the upcoming mayoral election—it is essential to engage in a citywide dialogue about inclusive growth and equitable development. We must ask ourselves: Are we genuinely committed to creating a San Antonio that serves all its residents?
The Brookings study offers a roadmap for fostering inclusive economic growth by enhancing collaborative efforts, establishing clear action calls for inclusion, identifying system gaps, and channeling resources effectively. While San Antonio has the potential to lead in this area, the City Council’s recent decision underscores the distance we still need to cover.
As Dr. Dodd aptly concludes, compassion is paramount. We must cultivate a deeper understanding of the housing challenges facing our neighbors and commit to creating opportunities for all families in San Antonio.
As we move forward, let us heed Willie Velasquez’s call for accountability. We must demand that our elected officials prioritize decisions that benefit every San Antonian, not just a privileged few. The forthcoming discussions about the baseball stadium and the mayoral race present ideal opportunities to refocus our city’s priorities on inclusive growth and equitable development.
San Antonio is at a crossroads. We can either continue down the path of segregation and inequality or embrace the challenge of building a truly inclusive city. The choice is ours. Let us honor our city’s rich legacy of civil rights advocacy by making decisions that uplift all San Antonians.
Louis R. Escareño is an attorney in private practice in San Antonio Texas and a member of the Board of Directors of La Prensa Texas.
