San Antonio Converts Motel into Affordable Housing as Build-to-Rent Booms Across Texas

San Antonio’s housing landscape is evolving rapidly: a former airport motel is being redeveloped into 117 affordable studio apartments through a $9.9 million project led by New York–based GoodHomes Communities LLC and the San Antonio Housing Trust. The project—the former Studio 6 motel—is set to open within six months, targeting households earning 30–80% of area median income, with rents from $1,240–1,416/month (texastribune.org).

Meanwhile, the build-to-rent trend is gaining traction in the San Antonio suburbs. A $12.8 million planned community in Helotes, named Apollo Oaks, aims to deliver 30 duplexes by May 2026, with monthly rents around $1,999 (mysanantonio.com).

At the same time, Houston’s East End is experiencing demographic shifts, as gentrification causes longtime residents to leave amid rising costs—even as total households increase (houstonchronicle.com).

Why It Matters

1. Alleviates Texas affordability crisis
   Converting a motel into affordable housing adds much-needed supply for low-to-moderate-income families. The build-to-rent model addresses demand for quality, flexible rentals without escalating home prices (expressnews.com).
2. Reflects a nationwide housing trend
   Across Texas, rising home values and limited inventory have pushed policymakers and investors toward creative reuses and specialized housing models—indicating a shift from traditional single-family development (mysanantonio.com).
3. Highlights equity and displacement concerns
   Houston’s East End case shows gentrification’s double-edged effects—fewer affordable units, cultural displacement, and an urgent policy challenge to preserve community diversity (houstonchronicle.com).

What’s Next

• Completion of San Antonio conversions
  Expect the airport-motel-to-studios to open later this year, with close attention to resident outcomes, funding models, and lease-up performance (expressnews.com).
• Build-to-rent expansion
  Track the progress and leasing of Apollo Oaks. If successful, this model may attract further investment across other San Antonio suburbs (mysanantonio.com).
• Policy intervention in Houston
  Watch how Houston’s city council and planning bodies respond to displacement pressure—with potential measures like land trusts, zoning reform, or affordable housing mandates (houstonchronicle.com).

Bottom Line

Texas’ housing market is at a crossroads: affordability challenges are forcing innovative development, while gentrification highlights the equity cost. How cities like San Antonio and Houston adapt will set the tone for equitable growth across the state.