SAN ANTONIO (February 25, 2026) – Today, the Planning & Community Development Committee (PCDC) was briefed on recommendations in response to the Council Consideration Request (CCR) on Establishing a Process for City Assistance after Home Fire. Districts 4 and 5 jointly filed the CCR in February of 2025. The presentation included strategies related to relocation assistance, City department coordination, and enhancements to the City’s House Fire Checklist. According to San Antonio Fire Department data, the number of structure fires dispatched per day is 3.
CCR co-authors PCDC Chairman and District 4 Councilmember Edward Mungia and District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo commended the improvements, and provided the following statements.
“During a period of uncertainty and anguish, residents deserve a system of support that helps them navigate the complex process of rebuilding after a house fire,” stated District 4 Councilmember Edward Mungia. “While a coordinated response from the City of San Antonio and community partners offers a sense a relief, my hope is that we also take preventive actions as we use data to identify vulnerable communities in need of additional support, especially areas with aging housing stock and limited fixed incomes.”
“Victims of house fires often experience severe physical, emotional, and mental distress, which makes it difficult to navigate the recovery of items, relocation and rebuilding alone,” said District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo. “The goal of this request was to provide more proactive coordination between the City and residents who experienced a house fire and to make them immediately aware of available resources. The CCR and the resulting steps forward highlight San Antonio’s humanity and compassion as we stand together to help families navigate disaster response and rebuilding.
“As San Antonio continues to experience drought and homes age, fire risk is heightened in our poorer and older neighborhoods. Lower-income residents in the inner city often cannot afford home insurance, which leads to a total, unrecoverable loss. While the Red Cross provides immediate andshort-term assistance, a more robust, detailed process only enhances existing efforts for residents to recover.
“As a way to further assist residents who have experienced a fire, we drafted this CCR and worked with PCDC to make these homes eligible for impactand development fee waivers. Fire-affected homes are now eligible under the City’s recent Fee Waiver Policy update,” stated District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo.