GARDEN INN

es. Before the city moves forward with anything, Steck said officials will continue to engage the nearby neighborhood. They’ve held two listening sessions so far to address residents’ questions and concerns.

“We know it’s an urgent need in the community, and we want to bring these online,” Steck said. “But we want to do it right and be responsive to neighborhoods.”

There are currently 573 “scattered-site” housing units across San Antonio. Case managers travel to apartments around the city to meet with tenants, Steck said. SAMMinistries operates some housing with support services.

San Antonio has long sought to implement a program for the homeless at a single site — something other large cities have had for years. Officials looked at various hotel and motel properties around San Antonio. They narrowed in on the Garden Inn for its proximity to transportation, grocery stores and pharmacies. The building also is in good condition, making renovations easier.

Funding has only recently fallen into place.

The money comes from the new $150 million housing bond voters passed last month. Of that, $25 million was set aside to address homelessness. Funding from a federal grant through the American Rescue Plan Act also would go toward the inn.

Steck said they aren’t sure if the city would own the property in the long run or convey it to a developer.

The city aims to create 1,000 new units over the next decade, according to the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan approved by City Council late last year. The Garden Inn would be the first step toward those commitments.

Steck said it’s unusual for the city to be so involved, but this type of housing for the homeless is heavily subsidized. Officials are looking at more federal grant opportunities to help operate a site like the Garden Inn.

If the supportive housing is successful, residents are likely to see plans at other sites.

“This Garden Inn would not be last,” Steck said. “We want to — we need to — do more of these kinds of things.”