Strenghthening Communities

December 2011 | SAHA Web | Moving to Work

Lourdes Castro Ramírez
President & CEO

The San Antonio Housing Authority is committed to providing quality affordable housing, along with programs that provide opportunities for low-income families and individuals to improve and enhance their lives. We have had many exciting announcements and developments at the San Antonio Housing Authority and I hope you enjoy reading about some of them in this issue of Strengthening Communities.

Board of Commissioners
Ramiro Cavazos, Chair
Dr. Brian Herman, Vice-Chair
Karina Cantu
Dr. Richard Gambitta
Yolanda Hotman
Stella Burciaga-Molina
Charles "Charlie" Muñoz

Header Photo:
Viridiana R. de Rosco and her children, Allison, Alexander and Frank.

SAHA REACHES NEW HEIGHTS IN 2011
As the year draws to a close, the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) can reflect on the past year and note some wonderful achievements. The agency made great strides in growing the supply of affordable housing in our community and in expanding the resources needed to assist families to transform their lives to meet their goals of economic independence.
LET'S GO TO WORK
On Friday, November 18, SAHA kicked-off the Jobs-Plus Program, a new employment and community building program available to more than 1,000 residents living at Alazan-Apache Courts and Mirasol Homes. This $2.5 million program is funded by a recent award, with $500,000 provided annually over a five-year period.
TAKING "GREEN" TO THE NEXT LEVEL
SAHA was recently honored by Build San Antonio Green (BSAG) for the agency's efforts to promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The recognition focused on initiatives at The Mirabella, 1955 Bandera Road, SAHA’s newest community for the elderly and disabled, on the city’s Westside.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
The planning efforts to complete the Victoria Commons community, on the site of the former Victoria Courts public housing community, are well underway. In collaboration with the architectural/planning firm of Goody Clancy, SAHA has hosted several Open Houses and Feedback Sessions for the Victoria Commons Master Plan, receiving input from the community to help build a vision for this development in the downtown area.
EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE GETS FUNDING BOOST
SAHA is one of only 12 housing authorities across the nation to be awarded a $50,000 grant from HUD to increase the hiring of public housing residents. SAHA will utilize the grant to hire a full-time Section 3 Program Coordinator, to augment the agency’s job training and outreach activities.
FIVE YEARS AND BEYOND
In January 2012, SAHA will kick off its strategic planning efforts, to determine the mission, vision and strategic goals for the agency for the next five years.