Opportunity Home San Antonio, formerly the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), receives funding to assist a specified category of families on the waiting list.
Opportunity Home is committed to reducing homelessness in San Antonio through programs that provide affordable, quality housing for homeless individuals and families, as well as providing housing assistance and supportive services for individuals living with mental illness or other serious health problems.
In addition to assisting the homeless and persons with disabilities, Opportunity Home’s special programs aim to promote financial independence.
Vision: Create dynamic communities where people thrive.
Mission: The San Antonio Housing Authority provides quality affordable housing that is well integrated into the fabric of neighborhoods and serves as a foundation to improve lives and advance resident independence.
Strategic Goals:
1. Empower and equip families to improve their quality of life and achieve economic stability.
2. Invest in our greatest resource - our employees - and establish a track record for integrity, accountability, collaboration, and strong customer service.
3. Preserve and improve existing affordable housing resources and opportunities.
4. Strategically expand the supply of affordable housing.
5. Transform core operations to be a high performing and financially strong organization.
6. Develop a local and national reputation for being an effective leader, partner, and advocate for affordable housing and its residents.
SAHA’s mission is to provide quality affordable housing that is well integrated into the fabric of neighborhoods and serves as a foundation to improve lives and advance resident independence.
The Assisted Housing Programs include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, also known as the Section 8 program, and the Special Programs which target specific groups such as homeless persons or persons with disabilities.
The HCV Program provides eligible low-income individuals and families with the ability to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants are free to choose housing from single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, as long as the units meet the requirements of the program. This freedom of choice offers participants a chance for a better quality of life by providing them with access to better job opportunities, schools, transportation, and other services. The HCV Program administers 13,417 rental vouchers.
The HCV Program sets aside a determined number of vouchers for targeted groups such as the homeless, homeless veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Click here to learn more and to apply for housing.
Click here to check your waiting list status.
| Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday: CLOSED |
| Sunday: CLOSED |
Complete seven computer training courses and earn a free digital device through ConnectHomeSA. The training is open to all residents participating in Opportunity Home programs.
Training Topics:
- Computer Basics
- Internet Basics/Navigation
- Email Basics
- Intro to Microsoft Word/ Google Docs
- Online Safety and Cyber Security
- Social Media Basics
- Financial 101
- Online Job Searching
Must be a resident in the Opportunity Home progam to qualify.
While SAHA is not charging fees or penalties to Public Housing residents, other landlords, including those of Section 8 voucher holders, can still charge and collect rent, fees, and penalties under the terms in the lease, but are not allowed to file for eviction based on non-payment rent. Voucher holders with past-due rent are encouraged to reach out to their landlords now to discuss options for repayment agreements.
The CDC Order does not waive an individual of their obligation to pay rent or comply with any other obligation. Renters are still required to pay all past-due rent and are encouraged to reach out to SAHA if their income has been impacted by COVID-19. SAHA may need to recalculate rent payments and also offers repayment plans to Public Housing residents and accepts partial payments for those unable to pay rent in full each month.
Under the CDC Eviction Order, tenants may still be evicted for:
- Engaging in criminal activity on the premises;
- Threatening the health or safety of other residents;
- Damaging or posing an immediate and significant risk of damage to property;
- Violating any applicable building code, health ordinance, or similar regulation relating to health and safety; or
- Violating any other contractual obligation (other than late fees, penalties, or interest).
In addition, SAHA clients may also qualify for emergency rental or utility assistance from the City of San Antonio. To learn more and submit an application online, please visit the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance website here.
The Rental Assistance Program closed on October 17, 2022. Please check our website for updates.
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program aims to help residents achieve economic independence in five years.
The self-paced, voluntary program helps Public Housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher Program participants set goals to achieve in five years and earn an escrow check following program completion.
During the program, participants will receive or have access to:
- One-on-One Case Management
- Referral Services
- Money Management Classes
- Education and Training
- Career Counseling
- Career Exploration
- Job Search
- Resume Writing
- Interviewing Skills
- Parenting Skills
- Workshops
- Communication Skills
The Jobs Plus program works with residents and their individual needs. Jobs Plus staff helps residents identify and accomplish short and long-term employment goals.
The Jobs Plus program helps residents receive training and find employment opportunities. SAHA partners with Alamo Workforce Solutions to identify in-demand occupations, as well as employers willing to provide training or educational assistance.
Jobs Plus helps residents gain and retain successful employment through:
- Providing members with employment related services
- Providing members community support to assist in maintaining employment
- Providing financial incentives that promote continued employment
The Jobs Plus services are currently available at Cassiano Homes.
For more information on the Jobs Plus program, email [email protected].
Eligible applicants may receive an additional one-time award up to $500. To be considered for this additional award, applicants must not have previously received the Joshua Longoria "Passion for Life" Memorial Scholarship.
ABOUT JOSHUA LONGORIA | 1994–2018
The Joshua Longoria "Passion for Life" Memorial Scholarship is open to students striving to seek the truest desire to serve others with conviction and compassion. In establishing this scholarship, Joshua’s mother and SAHA employee, Laura Longoria, and her family wish to recognize students that are dedicated to continuing their education and achieve a career goal that Joshua was unable to complete due to his shortened life. When Joshua was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, it quickly spread to his bones. Daily tasks such as getting out of bed became too difficult, and he was unable to work. Despite his condition, his cancer never hardened his heart. Joshua was touched by incredible people in all career fields he met in his life. It gave him a passion for life with a focus on being the best son, brother, nephew, grandson, friend, boyfriend, cousin, patient and positive acquaintance to all who met him. Joshua lived in a way that made his entire family see the incredible young adult he was and the remarkable man he would have been.
Click here for eligibility and applicant guidelines.
Connect with training, educational tools and social services through the Resident Opportunity Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program. The program is open to all residents participating in SAHA programs.
Services:
- Individual Training and Service Plans
- Job Training
- Resume Development and Job Search Assistance
- Transportation Assistance
- College Preparation Assistance
- GED and Literacy Training
- Financial Literacy
- Life Skills Workshops Including Money Management, Credit Repair, Parenting, Personal Development
Must be SAHA Program Resident.
Contact Info:
- East Side and North East: 210-559-3329
- South Side and Medical Center: 210-823-0637
- Westside: 210-557-0123
The Set Aside Homeless Voucher Program (SHVP) provides rental voucher assistance to homeless individuals through a collaborative referral process. The San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries (SAMM) and the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) screen applicants to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and then forward a referral packet to SAHA. Case Management and Supportive Services are provided by CHCS and SAMM.
This program is for homeless individuals.
Volunteers:
SAHA’s Community Development Initiatives Department works hand-in-hand with residents by providing training, education and other supportive services to help them obtain self-sufficiency. The teams host a variety of food distributions, community events and other resident-focused events that rely on the generosity of community volunteers.
Inquire about future events by emailing [email protected].
Monetary Donations:
Many of our residents are living on a limited income and the generous support of donations helps fill in the gaps. It funds a computer for a single mom or purchases water for an elderly resident. Each donation brings relief to someone in one form or another. We want you to be a part of their story-and their success. Donate and make change happen today!
Click here to make a donation.
New/Used Clothing in Excellent Condition:
The San Antonio Housing Authority’s JobsPlus Program accepts new and used clothing in excellent condition to donate to residents to use for job interviews and other professional development opportunities that require business casual attire.
Contact [email protected] to make a donation.
Digital Devices:
The San Antonio Housing Authority accepts the donation of smart devices, laptops and desktops to support its ConnectHome Program. ConnectHome addresses the three pillars of digital inclusion: broadband access, computer access and digital skills training.
Following completion of digital literacy training, ConnectHome participants receive a device to own. ConnectHome has been able to provide 1,083 devices throughout SAHA communities.
Email [email protected] to drop off a device.
by Opportunity Home San Antonio
Rewarding Educational Achievement and Cultivating Hope (REACH) Awards are granted to students who reside with families participating in SAHA Federal Housing Programs.
These Awards help set the foundation for early success by rewarding children up to $50. They will be given to students who are SAHA Public Housing Residents or who are a part of the HCV Program and who have demonstrated academic success.
The rising cost of higher education makes it challenging for many people to attend college. That’s why the San Antonio Housing Authority provides up to $1,500-a-year renewable scholarships to students who have shown strong academic, social and extracurricular success.
Previously awarded EIF Scholarship students are eligible to apply as renewal applicants for a maximum of five years. Students who have a break (non-consecutive years) in renewal may be considered for funding. Special situations will be reviewed by the scholarship committee on a case-by-case basis. Renewal applicants are responsible for renewing scholarships every year.
Join the Section 3 Employment Referral program to become eligible for free industry training programs offered by SAHA and its contractors. Individuals in the Section 3 Employment Referral Program are then referred to hiring managers for employment opportunities with SAHA.
Participate in the Section 3 Employment Referral Program by completing the Section 3 Individual Verification Form.
Click here for a list of Section 3 Job Opportunities.
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program for homeless veterans combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at VA medical centers and community-based outreach clinics. Homeless veterans are screened by the VA and then referred to SAHA.
This program serves homeless veterans.
The Homeless Services Voucher (HSV) program provides rental voucher assistance to homeless individuals through collaboration among different organizations. After Haven for Hope refers applicants to the City of San Antonio, the City screens applicants to ensure they meet all criteria and forward the application packets to SAHA. Upon selection from the waiting list, the applicant is notified by SAHA to schedule an eligibility appointment. Case Management and Supportive Services are provided by Haven for Hope. Individuals interested in the program should contact a Haven for Hope Intake Representative at (210) 220-2357.
This program serves homeless individuals and families.
| Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday: CLOSED |
| Sunday: CLOSED |