Briefing on Housing Voucher Incentive Program Positively Received
Published on April 28, 2026
The City program prioritizes veterans and families.
SAN ANTONIO (April 28, 2026) – Today, the City’s Planning & Community Development Committee responded positively to a staff recommendation to fund a City-sponsored housing voucher incentive program requested by District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo, who authored a Council Consideration Request (CCR) last April to initiate the creation of an incentive that expands voucher acceptance to more rental properties.
“Every family deserves access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, and that includes our veterans, seniors, and working families who rely on housing vouchers to keep a roof over their heads,” said Councilmember Castillo. “This recommendation is a meaningful step toward removing barriers that prevent voucher holders from finding housing and ensuring more landlords can confidently participate in these programs.”
The Neighborhood & Housing Services Department suggested allocating $500,000 from the Fiscal Year 2027 Rental Assistance Program Budget towards landlord incentives, which could support an estimated 900 households. The District 5 Councilmember asked that the program prioritize housing veterans with vouchers, as well as encourage new property owners to accept housing vouchers.
In San Antonio, over 15,000 families rely on the Housing Choice Voucher and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) programs. Despite the local need, more than 1,000 vouchers went unused in San Antonio in 2023. In 2021, Opportunity Home piloted a similar effort that led to the utilization of 3,000 vouchers.
“This recommendation reflects what we know from the data; when we reduce barriers for landlords and streamline the voucher process, more families get housed,” said Castillo. “We have seen this work before, and now we have the opportunity to build on that success for hundreds more households across our city.”
The CCR also resulted in the City working with public housing authorities, including Opportunity Home San Antonio and the Housing Authority of Bexar County staff, to implement process improvements related to voucher payment and inspection delays. Additionally, NHSD recommended updates to the City’s Relocation Assistance Program so voucher holders qualify for security deposit assistance when they are facing the expiration of their voucher.
Next, the proposed incentive program will be discussed and finalized through the development of the next City Budget.