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'Big 6+1' Draws Blueprint for Public Housing Future
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| Lincoln Courts Before |
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Lincoln Courts After |
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A new paint scheme at Lincoln Courts marks the beginning of an ambitious series of projects designed to revitalize SAHA’s oldest communities.
Called the “Big 6+1,” the plan calls for creating mixed-income communities by upgrading, modernizing and improving homes at Alazan-Apache Courts, Cassiano Homes, Lincoln Courts, San Juan Homes, Sutton Homes, Wheatley Courts and Highview. Together, the communities account for nearly 2,500 units, home to approximately 6,700 residents.
“We need to increase our housing inventory and bring our aging and dilapidated housing units to more acceptable standards,” said SAHA President and CEO Henry A. Alvarez III. “These communities were built five and six decades ago, and are all in desperate need of modernization and rehabilitation.”
Revitalizing the seven properties is no quick – or cheap – fix. SAHA plans estimate the entire project will take at least 10 years to complete and cost about $162 million. Funding is hard to come by, as evidenced by the three tries it took to secure HOPE VI grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to partially cover the cost of building Victoria Commons.
However, SAHA plans to use a combination of creative financing programs, streamlined business practices and strong community partnerships to bring the dream of modern communities to fruition, Henry said.
“Without creative financing and community support, we will continue to struggle to provide decent, safe and sanitary affordable housing for the poorest of the poor in our community,” he said.
Communities with serious infrastructure issues like San Juan and Highview are priorities. At San Juan, SAHA plans to start the first phase of work on 88 units by November. Phases two and three have not yet been scheduled. Work at Highview is set to begin in December.
Cosmetic updates, like the new paint scheme at Lincoln Homes, will continue until SAHA can rebuild the properties.
The end result, Henry said, will be communities that support positive lifestyles, break the cycle of poverty and encourage families to become financially independent.
“Our goal is to transform these communities into vibrant, modern and livable mixed-income communities that all San Antonians would be proud to call home,” he said.
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For further information, please contact: public_information@saha.org
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