Operation Rebuild: Councilwoman Castillo Highlights Progress on Demolition Diversion Pilot Program

February 25, 2022 - West Side

Housing goals. “OPERATION Rebuild is a key first step to meeting our housing needs by facilitating the rehabilitation of homes at risk of demolition, minimizing community displacement, and allowing our communities to age in place and wealth build,” said District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo in a Feb. 24 statement. Photo: Facebook/Teri Castillo.

By Jade Esteban Estrada, Co-Editor | San Antonio Sentinel

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

  • The Planning and Community Development Committee meeting that took place on Thursday highlighted an overview of the Demolition Diversion Pilot Program
  • The program is an effort to save affordable homes of low-income residents that are at risk of demolition

The Planning and Community Development Committee meeting that took place Thursday highlighted an overview of the Demolition Diversion Pilot Program, now named OPERATION Rebuild. Funding for the program was secured by a FY2022 budget amendment proposed by first-term City Councilmember Teri Castillo of District 5.

The program is an effort to save affordable homes of low-income residents that are at risk of demolition due to dangerous premises designation and are considered unlivable without repair, per standards designated by city code. 

“As the City continues to navigate housing insecurity the time to prioritize neighborhood stabilization is long overdue. We are pleased to see District 5’s proposed Demolition Diversion Pilot Program come into fruition,” said Castillo in a Feb. 24 statement. 

The pilot program will aim to repair or rehabilitate up to ten single family structures. The homeowner will receive access to benefits and services, any title remediation, temporary storage, identification of temporary housing, and assistance with relocation during the rehabilitation process. The project will work to relocate families with a focus on keeping them in the neighborhood. Additionally, homeowners will be screened for tax exemptions such as the over 65 tax exemption or historic home tax exemption. 

“OPERATION Rebuild is a key first step to meeting our housing needs by facilitating the rehabilitation of homes at risk of demolition, minimizing community displacement, and allowing our communities to age in place and wealth build,” the councilwoman said. 

The program is a collaborative effort between the following departments: Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, Development Services Department, Department of Human Services, Office of Historic Preservation, and San Antonio Affordable Housing, Inc.

“OPERATION Rebuild provides the City of San Antonio with a robust tool to build upon to help us tackle the housing crisis,” Castillo added. 



Jade Esteban Estrada is a co-editor for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @satx_writer