San Antonio Government Committee Meeting: February 18, 2026 – Missing Middle Housing Program Discussion
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
San Antonio Government Committee Meeting: February 18, 2026
Introductory Paragraph
The San Antonio Government Committee met on February 18, 2026, to discuss and approve a Council Consideration Request (CCR) to create an incentive and development program for missing middle housing for low- and moderate-income residents. The meeting included a presentation from the Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Housing Services, discussion among council members, and a vote to approve staff recommendations for further study and program development.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: The minutes from the previous month's meeting were approved without correction via a motion from Councilmember Villagrán, seconded by another member, and passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
Missing Middle Housing Program (CCR from District 1 Councilmember Core)
Presentation by Veronica García, Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Housing Services:
- The CCR was submitted by Councilmember Core on January 27, and co-sponsored by council members from Districts 2, 4, 5, and 6.
- The proposal seeks to create a program that provides pre-development assistance (e.g., land identification, density, zoning, and planning), a single point of contact within the city for logistics and process assistance, pre-approved designs with city incentives, including impact fee elimination, and property tax abatement from the county and city.
- Missing middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and small cottages, designed to provide more affordable housing options in walkable neighborhoods with transit access.
- Staff is currently working with a consultant to identify barriers to missing middle housing development, aligned with the Unified Development Code amendments beginning in 2027.
- Existing incentives include gap financing and fee waivers, but developers face financial challenges such as high costs per unit, difficulty accessing financing, and long repayment periods.
- The recommendation is to evaluate costs and consider the program as part of the strategic plan renewal.
Councilmember Core (District 1, lead sponsor):
- Expressed that the program has been in development since the previous year, working closely with the housing department to address the housing gap.
- Emphasized the need for creative housing options near the city center, especially since many lots are underutilized.
- Presented a map showing current investment in single-family homes through the Housing Trust Fund, noting that missing middle housing has not yet been incentivized.
- Stated that developers find it difficult and expensive to build multiplexes (e.g., four-unit buildings), and that barriers include lot size constraints and parking requirements.
- Highlighted the need for technical assistance to help local residents (including women and underrepresented groups) participate in development.
Councilmember (Alcalde/Member) – Question on density and location:
- Asked whether duplexes and triplexes provide enough density for future needs (e.g., 2050 projections).
- Noted that the city's financial update would show significant property tax revenue, and cautioned that incentives could impact the general fund.
- Inquired about recent state legislation changes affecting construction.
Veronica García's Response:
- Explained that missing middle housing is low-density, and other cities have used it as a starting point to gradually increase density via zoning changes.
- Noted that recent state legislation made construction easier, especially on commercially zoned lots not currently used for housing.
- Said that the program could be beneficial for smaller commercial lots, while larger lots might still be suited for higher-density projects.
Councilmember (Maki Rodríguez):
- Raised concerns about allocating limited resources and ensuring incentives are used effectively to address the greatest needs.
- Stated that reducing taxes should be carefully considered and that conversations should continue to identify successful outcomes.
Councilmember (Villagrán):
- Noted that missing middle housing is most suitable for areas outside the downtown core (the "doughnut") and in specific corridors, not for suburban subdivisions like those in District 4.
- Suggested it could serve workforce populations, young professionals, retirees, and people with disabilities.
- Expressed hope that the program would continue to be refined.
Councilmember (Additional comment on aesthetics and quality):
- Emphasized that missing middle housing should not be built with poor quality (e.g., non-central air conditioning) or poor aesthetics, as that would deter renters and buyers.
- Referenced examples in Alamo Heights and Jefferson where poorly constructed units remained vacant.
- Asked for quality standards to be included in program requirements.
Veronica García's Final Comments:
- Noted that many existing missing middle projects are rentals, and that consultants are reviewing best practices from other cities, which often include density bonuses and streamlined permitting.
- Mentioned that the high success of a recent property tax exemption program (referenced from a prior day's dialogue) could impact general fund revenues if more housing is built.
- Stated that missing middle housing could be strategically located near workforce corridors and could be built by-right on lots already zoned for higher density, without needing rezoning.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve staff recommendations was made by Councilmember Villagrán, seconded, and passed by a voice vote (all in favor, none opposed).
- The approval includes additional questions and direction to staff for further analysis, including cost evaluation, potential location strategies, and consideration of quality and aesthetic standards.
- The meeting adjourned at 10:28 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Son 1006, el miércoles 18. La Junta del Comité de Gobierno está reunido. Por favor, pase lista. Concejal Maki Rodríguez presente. Concejal Villagrán. Concejal Bungía, presente. Alcalde Jones, tenemos quórum. Primero punto de la agenda es la aprobación de las minutas. ¿Hay alguna corrección a los minutos del mes pasado? Al no escuchar ninguno, por favor, puede tener una moción secundarla para aprobar los minutos. Moción para aprobar. Tenemos su moción y está secundada por los minutos. La minuta, por favor, los que están a favor digan sí. Muy bien, la moción pasa. ¿Tenemos o no tenemos miembros para hablar? No, no tenemos. Muy bien. Vamos a seguir a los puntos de acción. Por favor, lea la introducción. Punto dos. Es la concejal SOC Core del Distrito 1 para la consideración del consejo con el fin de crear un programa que apoya el incentivo y desarrollo de la vivienda de personas de bajos recursos. Vamos a escuchar la presentación primero. Primero, Verónica García, director del Departamento de Servicios Vecinales y de Vivienda. Vamos a ver a revisar el CCR para ver la vivienda. Se presentó esta solicitud por la concejal Core el 27 de enero y fue apoyado por los concejales del distrito 245 y 6. La solicitud es la creación de un programa para apoyar el desarrollo y los incentivos para las viviendas faltantes de las personas de bajos recursos. Esta solicitud requiere tiene varias recomendaciones. La primera asistencia de pre-desarrollo para identificar el terreno para propia para la densidad y zonificación y planificación, un punto de contacto unificador dentro del de la ciudad de logística y proceso de asistencia, diseños con permiso ya hecho para que incluyan opciones y con incentivos de la ciudad que incluye impacto de SOS de los eliminar los impuestos de la propiedad de condado de la ciudad, el financiamiento de un concedido. Las viviendas de medio que faltan, tenemos complejos departamentales grandes. Esto puede incluir desde duplexes, forplexes, casas de la ciudad, y aún casitas. Y esto proporciona más opciones de vivienda asequible al caminar en los para poder caminar en los vecindarios y tener acceso al tránsito público. Nuestro equipo está trabajando actualmente con un consultor para ayudar a identificar las barreras del desarrollo de viviendas de medias que faltan. Estamos se está haciendo de acuerdo al código de desarrollo unificado enmendado que empieza el 2027. Identificar las enmiendas potenciales y enmiendas relacionadas a la falta de vivienda para que sean coordinadas con la Comisión de Vivienda. Los proyectos de vivienda medios costeables tienen el derecho para tener incentivos incluyendo el financiamiento faltante y las dis y despensa de las tarifas. Esto también consideramos una casita. Tenemos un programa piloto existente que le ayuda a los propietarios tener derecho a ellas. También entonces, mientras hay muchos incentivos existentes, hay retos financieros para los desarrolladores para tener acceso a estos programas. Esta falta de casas medianas. Se necesita habilidades y el costo se tiene que dividir entre las unidades. Tienen dificultad teniendo acceso a las finanzas, al riesgo y los periodos de pago de pago de estos préstamos. Es además de reformas de zonificación por a lo mejor ver programas específicamente para este tipo de desarrollos. Cualquier cosa que se vea tiene que tener prioridad sobre cualquier otro programa actual. Esto es parte del CCR para considerar esta programa de vivienda faltante. Esta es parte del plan integral al igual que el marco del trabajo de tránsito. Se está haciendo una renovación de metodas, y estamos poniendo la vivienda como parte de esta meta. La recomendación del personal y los siguientes pasos son los costos relacionados para implementar el programa de vivienda media, las recomendaciones presentes del PCG. También se recomienda que este punto se considere como el plan para una renovación del plan estratégico. Alguna pregunta. Concejal Core quiere decir algunas palabras. Gracias, alcalde. Gracias al miembro.
openpublica.com