San Antonio Standard

SAN ANTONIO — Mayor Ron Nirenberg today named new commissioners to the Opportunity Home San Antonio board and to the Housing Commission.

“As we approach our third year of implementing the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP), the following appointees will ensure a continuity of leadership and momentum towards the sustained implementation of our 10-year housing plan,” said Mayor Nirenberg.

New Opportunity Home board members include Estrellita Diaz Garcia, Janet Garcia, Leilah Powell, and Vincent Robinson. 

Board members Gilbert Casillas, Dalia Contreras, and Gabriel Lopez were reappointed to new terms.   

Lopez, who has expertise in establishing and retaining strategic partnerships to the role, was elected by his board colleagues as the new chair, replacing outgoing chair Dr. Ana “Cha” Guzman.

The mayor expressed his gratitude for Guzman’s service on the Opportunity Home board. 

During Guzman’s tenure - which started in 2019 - a new CEO was hired, the organization underwent a rebranding, and Opportunity Home was positioned to secure critical funding from the affordable housing bond for various improvement projects, including the expansion of the Alazan Courts.

Guzman will be nominated to serve in a high-profile role as a member of the Hemisfair board. 

The mayor also thanked outgoing Housing Commission chair Shirley Gonzales, who was appointed in 2021. Gonzales chaired the Housing Commission who adopted and oversaw the implementation of the Council-adopted Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP), co-chaired the 2022 community bond committee for the housing proposition, and established the Renters’ Solutions Subcommittee in 2022. 

Katie Vela Wilson, the Executive Director of the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, was appointed to succeed Gonzales. Wilson co-chaired the 2022 community bond committee for the affordable housing proposition and has expertise in solving challenges across the housing ecosystem and homeless response system. 

In addition, to Wilson, Crystal Requejo was appointed to the Housing Commission. Commission members Robert “Abe” Abraham, Kristin Davila, and Nikki Johnson were reappointed to new terms. 

Original source can be found here.