South San Antonio News

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council unanimously approved a Resolution supporting Tenants’ Rights as part of a collaborative effort to raise awareness about existing laws and policies that protect renters.  

 

“While the Resolution supporting Tenants’ Rights consolidates and affirms existing laws and policies in support of tenants’ rights to live in safe and affordable housing, the educational materials and revised Notice of Tenants’ Rights document will promote these protections,” said Veronica Garcia, Director of Neighborhood and Housing Services. 

 

Feedback from communities was incorporated to help the City produce the Resolution, create educational material to explain the meaning of the resolution and led to the revision of the Notice of Tenants’ Rights, which outlines protections, responsibilities and financial assistance available to renters. 

 

“Communities across the city were vital to the creation of the resolution that reflects protections for renters,” Garcia said. “We’re thankful for the input we received, and we look forward to continuing our work with community partners to bring awareness and education.” 

 

Between February and April 2023, the City of San Antonio Neighborhood and Housing Services Department co-hosted Renters’ Rights Power Hour sessions with the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio to share information on renter rights and responsibilities and provide attendees opportunities to contribute input on the Resolution, which includes the revised Notice of Tenants’ Rights, and other educational materials.  

 

About 95,000 families are at-risk of housing instability in San Antonio, and about 55 percent of those households are renters. The Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP), adopted in 2021 by City Council, outlines the need for an awareness campaign to help renters learn about Fair Housing Laws, and additionally, protect neighborhoods through proactive outreach and services related to tenants. 

 

As part of advancing the SHIP strategies, the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department will expand efforts to share information on tenants’ rights, responsibilities and resources across the City, including promotion at public spaces such as libraries, community, senior centers, municipal courts and school districts.  

 

More information can be found at sa.gov/nhsd.   

Original source can be found here.