By Edmond Ortiz
Local officials and affordable housing advocates say a newly opened apartment complex in the Tobin Hill neighborhood can help people seeking affordable housing options just north of downtown.
What you should know
City officials and leaders from project partners gathered for a Jan. 21 ground-breaking ceremony for the Four25 San Pedro Apartments at 425 San Pedro Ave.
The final affordable housing project supported by the city’s 2017 bond, Four25 San Pedro Apartments offers 80 affordable homes to families earning at or below 60% of the area median income, which is $52,500 or less for a family of three.
According to a press release, 25 units are designated as permanent supportive housing for individuals or families exiting homelessness. The new multifamily community includes on-site supportive services for people needing resources to stay housed in a stable way. The $16.8 million complex covers more than 138,000 square feet.
What they are saying
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones praised project participants, which included the city of San Antonio through its neighborhood and housing services department, Franklin Development, the San Antonio Housing Trust, USAA and SAMMinistries.
“Four25 is a testament to when public and private partnerships prioritize the well-being of San Antonians,” Jones said in a statement.
The release stated that Four25 aligns the city’s 10-year Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP) by contributing to the creation of 1,000 units of permanent supportive housing to provide opportunities for people transitioning out of homelessness.
“This project is exactly what affordable housing should look like: close to quality schools, near the heart of our city, and well-connected to public transit,” District 1 Councilmember Sukh Kaur said in a statement. “Although this project began before me, I am proud to have helped bring Four25 San Pedro to life for our community.”
Jon Gary Herrera, president and CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, said residents of Four25 San Pedro will benefit from being located along VIA’s forthcoming VIA Rapid Green Line route.
Dedicated buses on VIA’s Rapid Green Line will ferry tenants to downtown, the San Antonio International Airport and other points along San Pedro Ave. via more frequent service.
“Affordable housing creates stability, and transit provides mobility. The combination of those two elements opens new doors to opportunity for our community,” Herrera said in a statement.
“Our community envisioned robust rapid transit, and we’re excited to be delivering on that. The Four25 Apartments exemplify the interconnectivity between housing and transit, and we’re proud to serve the individuals and families who will make their home there and rely on VIA to take them to what matters most.”
Nikisha Baker, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, said tenants can also benefit with her organization’s on-site supportive services, including access to mental and physical health care.
“SAMMinistries is proud to be offering on-site services that will support residents in maintaining housing stability, because we know that takes more than just a roof over your head – it requires care, connection, and community,” Baker said in a statement.
Additional supportive services for Four25 San Pedro tenants include a food pantry, recreational activities, on-site social events, and yearly income tax preparation, the release stated. Community amenities include a fitness center, business center, laundry facilities, a dog run, rooftop gathering space, bike storage and on-site parking, city representatives said.
