City and Partners Break Ground on Second Supportive Housing Community
Published on April 23, 2025
SAN ANTONIO (April 23, 2025) – The City of San Antonio, in collaboration with SAMMinistries, Bexar County, San Antonio Housing Trust, and others are proud to announce the groundbreaking of Commons at Acequia Trails, a development that will bring more than 200 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) homes to City Council District 3. This innovative project builds significant momentum toward the City's commitment to providing stable housing and essential services for individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness.
Located at 7222 Old Corpus Christi Road on the City’s southeast side, Commons at Acequia Trails is more than just a housing development—it's a comprehensive support system designed to help people regain independence and thrive. With a planned 10,000-square-foot Supportive Services Center, the community will offer on-site access to primary healthcare, behavioral health services, life skills training, workforce readiness programs, social wellness activities, and much more.
“Today, we break ground on a facility that is a bold declaration that San Antonio refuses to accept chronic homelessness,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “Homelessness can happen to anyone—through job loss, medical emergencies, or unexpected hardships—but as a community, we stand together to ensure that no one is left without hope or a path forward. Commons at Acequia Trails is a testament to our unwavering commitment to dignity, opportunity, and lasting solutions. I’d like to thank our friends with Bexar County, SAMMinistries, The San Antonio Housing Trust, and others who contributed to make this happen. It is not a stretch to say that Commons at Acequia Trails will save lives.”
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a proven, evidence-based model that combines affordable housing with voluntary, yet readily available, supportive services tailored to individuals’ needs. Designed for people facing chronic homelessness, PSH follows a client-centered, trauma-informed approach—ensuring people have access to care while maintaining personal agency over their level of participation. Unlike traditional transitional housing, PSH does not impose time limits but focuses on long-term stability and recovery.
"Nothing worth having comes easy, and this project is the result of incredible dedication from all involved,” said District 3 Councilmember Phyllis Viagran. “I am proud that Commons at Acequia Trails—an initiative that will help rehabilitate our most vulnerable neighbors—will call District 3 home. My deepest thanks to City staff, Bexar County, SAMMinistries, and the many partners working tirelessly to ensure that everyone in our city has a place to call home."
Commons at Acequia Trails is a $56.2 million development made possible through a public-private partnership, including $34.7 million from private sources, $9.1 million from the City of San Antonio’s 2022 Affordable Housing Bond, $7.5 million in HOME-ARP provided by the City, $3.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds provided by Bexar County, and a $1 million land grant from the San Antonio Housing Trust.
“Commons at Acequia Trails is a project that turns vision into action—made possible by the trust of our community and the dedication of our coalition of partners,” said Veronica Garcia, Neighborhood and Housing Services Director. “By blending federal funding with local investment including the Affordable Housing Bond, this facility will provide not just shelter, but a second chance. This is what happens when we invest in people, dignity, and in a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."
People living at Commons at Acequia Trails will also benefit from direct access to public transit, reinforcing the city's dedication to fostering accessibility and opportunity.
“This development is aimed at providing housing and resources for our community’s most vulnerable — helping our city meet the goals of its Strategic Housing Implementation Plan and at the same time reducing unsheltered homelessness and relieving pressure on overcrowded shelters,” said Nikisha J. Baker, SAMMinistries President and CEO. “SAMMinistries is excited to bring this long-awaited project to life and help build brighter futures for our neighbors in need.
With the rising need for housing solutions that address the root causes of homelessness, Commons at Acequia Trails represents a vital investment in San Antonio’s Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP). The SHIP aims to add 1,000 units of site-based Permanent Supportive Housing in San Antonio and Bexar County over the next ten years to provide stable housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. PSH combines affordable housing with voluntary support services, including case management, to address long-term homelessness. The benefits of site based PSH include enhanced autonomy, community integration, and security, leading to better resident outcomes and cost savings for health, justice, and emergency services.
Originally approved in 2023, with a second funding award granted in 2024, Commons at Acequia Trails is set for completion in Fall of 2027.
Visit the City’s website for more information.