City of San Antonio to begin hosting fair housing information sessions

San Antonio city officials said they will offer a series of events starting in April, which is Fair Housing Month, and into September to educate local renters on their rights, responsibilities and resources.

The background

According to a news release, in addition to the information sessions, the city will release educational videos and promote an online housing tool as part of the RentWise SA campaign.

• April 6, 10 a.m., Meals on Wheels, 2718 Danbury Drive, San Antonio
• April 8, 5:30 p.m., Pre-K 4 SA-West Education Center, 1235 Enrique Barrera Parkway, San Antonio
• May 6, 1 p.m., Westfall Library, 6111 Rosedale Court, San Antonio
• May 14, 1:30 p.m., Willie Cortez Senior Multi-Service Center, 5512 W. Military Drive, San Antonio
• May 18, 10 a.m., Mexican American Unity Council, 2300 W. Commerce St., Ste. 200, San Antonio
• June 11, 5:30 p.m., Good Samaritan Veterans Outreach & Transition Center, 202 Connelly St., San Antonio
• July 15, 5:30 p.m., Mission Library, 3134 Roosevelt Ave., San Antonio
• Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m., Walker Ranch Senior Center, 835 W. Rhapsody Drive, San Antonio

City officials said the idea is to help area renters know more about fair housing resources and existing protections.

Certified housing counselors from city staff will be in attendance at each session where they can provide guidance in rental matters, such as evictions, lease terms, repairs and security deposits, city representatives said.

The housing counselors can also help residents needing foreclosure assistance or mortgage default counseling.

The educational videos, which will be available in English and Spanish, will discuss various fair housing topics such as introduction to renter resources and knowing your lease, rental aid and eviction prevention, repair requests and healthy living conditions, disability and language access, and discrimination and retaliation.

What they’re saying

Veronica Garcia, the city’s neighborhood and housing services department director, said, “Fair Housing Month is about ensuring safe, decent and affordable housing for all people."

“We want to use this opportunity to bring awareness to renters and rental housing providers about their fair housing rights and responsibilities. These videos and sessions are essential to making sure they have the housing resources and information they need,” Garcia said in a statement.