SAN ANTONIO – A proposal to cover pet deposits for low-income San Antonio renters has been put down.
The council’s Planning and Community Development Committee voted 4-0 on Friday morning to keep a one-year, $50,000 pilot program from moving forward. The money would have come out of the city’s housing assistance program, which helps renters avoid being evicted and people facing housing instability.
“I think that we have a much greater need for a lot of other services to people than paying a pet deposit,” said Councilman John Courage (D9). “I think that $50,000 could go into helping people just pay a (sic) rent so they can stay in their home themselves.“
The proposed program crafted by city staff would have covered pet deposits of up to $500 per pet — with a $1,000 maximum — to at least 100 eligible renters. The average pet deposit in San Antonio, the city said, is about …