Roberto C. Treviño
COVID-19 Response
COVID-19 exposed many in our community to the glaring reality that too many residents already knew. We lack a meaningful social safety-net.
When the pandemic fell upon our doorstep, we immediately went to work. Our office came up with creative ideas, drafted policies, and advocated for measures of direct support for our neighbors.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
My office advocated for the local eviction moratorium because we knew all too well that many of our residents are housing burdened. Secondary to protecting residents from being put on the streets due to the economic downturn, we made the request for CPS and SAWS to pause disconnections of utilities for non-payment. Running water and electricity are life-saving resources in the fight against COVID-19.
When the City proposed $15m in funding for our Risk Mitigation Fund, we went to work to increase that amount to $25m because we knew the needs would outweigh the original amount. Our team also pushed to include direct cash assistance for our residents facing difficulty putting food on the table.
This was only the beginning of our response, but it set the foundation for protecting our most vulnerable residents.
RELIEF EFFORTS
We proposed policies to lessen the burden on you - the resident.
Our team proposed a right to cure debts that would have extended the eviction moratorium by 60 days as families located the funds to pay back owed-rent. Unfortunately, this measure was not approved by City Council.
We also proposed a food and beverage worker relief fund in October of 2020. 1/10 San Antonians are employed by the service industry, and we have a duty to protect our community. It took until February of 2021 for funds to be allocated to this effort, but we are happy to know the industry is being supported.
Because no matter how much we accomplish, my team understands there is more work to be done.
REBUILDING TOGETHER
It goes without saying that we are all going through a difficult and unnerving moment.
But even as we struggle to cope with our new normal…
Even as many of you face the difficult task of explaining to your children why they must remain home…
Even as the distance between us and our loved ones seems to grow by the day…
There is one thing that brings me peace and gives me the confidence to believe in a better tomorrow.
We are not alone — we are in this with each other. And as we have proven time and again, we can solve the greatest of challenges as long as we keep building together.
Right now, I want you to remain focused on what matters most: Your safety, your health, and your family.
Y en San Antonio, todos somos familia.
Abrazos fuertes,
Roberto Treviño
January 13, 2021
The District 1 councilman has frequently questioned the city’s pandemic-recovery approach, saying it’s too focused on long-term initiatives such as workforce development. He argues that residents need more immediate assistance, including small business grants and housing assistance.
January 12, 2021
Given the scale of need faced by the food and beverage industry — seriously hurt by occupancy restrictions and diminished dine-in crowds — District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño believes these businesses and workers alike need the targeted relief.
September 20, 2020
Treviño said the city shouldn’t wait on the federal government for more dollars and should pony up more of its own money for the program, which would give the city the ability to use the funds for people who wouldn’t be eligible for help with the federal dollars, mainly its undocumented population.
July, 20, 2020
Last week, the City of San Antonio launched the dashboard at the request of District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño. The city has other coronavirus-related dashboards, which track trends such as total cases, deaths, cases by race, cases by ZIP code, among other metrics.
June 26, 2020
“There is not a silver bullet for affordable housing and evictions,” Treviño said Thursday during the meeting. “It’s important that the community, elected leaders and public administrators work together to develop a patchwork of diverse policies and programs which help the most underserved renters and families.”
May 14, 2020
The proposal pushed by District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño would have given tenants 60 days to come up with rent if they’re short. Landlords would have to tell them at least two months in advance that they plan to evict them for not paying.
April 23, 2020
City staff originally proposed a $15.8 million COVID-19 Emergency Housing Program and, at the direction of Councilman Roberto Treviño (D1) and community advocates, the City was able to identify an additional $9.2 million from various city-related accounts.
April 16, 2020
Additional funding to directly support residents who are not receiving federal stimulus checks.
April 14, 2020
A proposal circulated by District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño would give renters 60 days to come up with rent if they’re short.
March 30, 2020
With an architectural background, Treviño and a small San Antonio team have taken on building an emergency ventilator amid nation-wide shortages.
March 20, 2020
Calls on Governor Abbott to freeze property values until 2021 as a way to provide some protection for homeowners and renters amid the economic fallout from COVID-19.
March 17, 2020
Lobbies to halt evictions amid COVID-19 pandemic.
March 11, 2020
Calls on local energy and water utilities to halt disconnections amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Need Assistance?
The City of San Antonio is working diligently to keep our neighbors up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 information and guidance. Please visit the CoSA website for more info.
If you need further assistance, please contact my office at 210.207.0900 or through this form.
