San Antonio's economic ace-in-the-hole has always been the city's low cost of housing, but as housing costs skyrocket, that edge may be lost, and that's what the Mayor's Housing Policy Task Force hopes to address, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"I am excited about the energy and interest community members have shown in wanting to tackle this issue together, it is critical to the future of our city that we do this well and that we do it now," Mayor Ron NIrenberg said.
Among the issues to be dealt with include availability and affordability of housing, as well as gentrification and displacement.Rapid development in areas like the Pearl and Southtown has led to people who live in those neighborhoods for years finding themselves no longer able to afford to live there.
The deterioration of the low end housing market, which was exemplified by Ray Ellison Homebuilders in the 80s and 90s, has also affected the local market, pushing the average price for a home that was sold in metro San Antonio in 2017 up above $250,000.
The task force will issue recommendations which will be considerd by City Council in the coming six months.