Councilman Kevin Wolff Responds to SAHA's Public Housing Plan

One of the greatest services we provide our children is their education. Without adequate funding, we limit their growth and development. Abating school taxes which are needed for new school construction will only exacerbate this problem. Northeast Independent School District, which has been forced to cap some of its schools north of Loop 1604, already loses $3.7 million dollars annually in abatements for tax-free housing. The proposed tax-free housing project in District 9 will result in further decreases in school tax funding in an area that is in dire need of more schools.

I am also concerned that SAHA is pursuing a course of action that is outside the charge given to it by the city. I believe SAHA is engaging in real estate speculation, not for the purpose of providing affordable housing, but for the purpose of turning a profit.

Real estate speculation is risky, and while I have confidence in SAHA’s ability to build and maintain affordable housing, I’m just as certain they should not be in the business of real estate speculation. This point is further illustrated by Texas Local Government Code 392.004 which states, “It is the policy of the state that a housing authority manage and operate its housing projects in an efficient manner to enable it to set rentals at the lowest possible rates consistent with providing decent, safe and sanitary housing and that a housing authority may not construct or operate a project for profit or as a source of revenue to a municipality or county.” 

In my review of SAHA’s proposed action, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot in good conscience support any project that takes money away from our school children, especially when that project’s primary purpose is to create revenue through real estate speculation instead of providing affordable housing.  I support the idea of helping our residents in need, but not on the backs of our school children.