Affordable Housing Project 'Central at Commerce' Breaks Ground in Downtown San Antonio

New $107 million development aims to provide high-quality, income-restricted housing options for families in the urban core.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A bold, stylized illustration of a modern apartment building facade in a repeating grid of bright, neon-like colors, conceptually representing the new affordable housing development in downtown San Antonio.A new affordable housing complex aims to bring more diverse living options to the heart of downtown San Antonio.San Antonio Today

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the 'Central at Commerce' affordable housing project in downtown San Antonio. The seven-story, 279-unit complex is being developed by Opportunity Home and is supported by funding from the city's 2022 Affordable Housing Bond program. The project will offer one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for families making below 70% of the area median income, with 42 units specifically for the lowest-income residents.

Why it matters

The 'Central at Commerce' development is a significant investment in providing more affordable housing options in downtown San Antonio, an area that has seen rapid growth and rising costs of living in recent years. The project aims to give lower-income families the opportunity to live, work, and access amenities in the urban core, rather than being pushed to the outskirts of the city.

The details

Construction is already underway on the $107 million 'Central at Commerce' project, which will feature elevated courtyards, a pool, a playground, and other resident amenities. The seven-story complex will offer a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with 42 units set aside for families making below 50% of the area median income, 20 units for those at 50% AMI or below, and the remaining apartments for those up to 70% AMI.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony for 'Central at Commerce' took place on April 14, 2026.
  • The developers aim to have the new apartments ready for residents to move in within the next 24 months.

The players

Opportunity Home

The nonprofit developer behind the 'Central at Commerce' affordable housing project.

Michael Reyes

CEO of Opportunity Home, who is a former public housing resident and is personally motivated to provide affordable housing options in San Antonio.

Veronica Garcia

Director of Neighborhood and Housing Services for the City of San Antonio, who oversees the city's affordable housing initiatives.

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What they’re saying

“Central at Commerce is amazing for many reasons. One, it's deeply affordable housing downtown in District 2, on the future VIA Silver Bus Line and a block north of the future sports and entertainment district. This is what affordable housing looks like, giving residents a chance to live downtown, work downtown. Every resident deserves to live where they work, and this provides an opportunity for them.”

— Michael Reyes, CEO, Opportunity Home

“I get the need. It's personal lived experience that gets me motivated to make sure our residents in our city have that opportunity to live in affordable housing... It's too good to be true, but we are mission oriented.”

— Michael Reyes, CEO, Opportunity Home

“Families that can live here could be anyone from families with young children, we could see older adults on fixed incomes who could afford to live here. You could see college students who are working on their degree and maybe working as a waiter in the downtown area.”

— Veronica Garcia, Director of Neighborhood and Housing Services, City of San Antonio

What’s next

The developers are committed to bringing the 'Central at Commerce' project online as soon as possible, with the goal of having the new apartments ready for residents to move in within the next 24 months.

The takeaway

The 'Central at Commerce' affordable housing development represents a significant investment in providing more diverse and accessible living options in downtown San Antonio, helping to ensure that lower-income families can afford to live, work, and thrive in the urban core rather than being priced out of the city's revitalized center.