Council Approves Incentives To Build Housing For Soldiers

EL PASO, Texas — El Paso needs 8,000 new apartment units, and fast. That is the type of housing demand for new soldiers at Fort Bliss, a post expected to triple in size by 2013.

Now the city is scrambling to meet the need. One way to get the apartments built quickly is to provide incentives to developers. That’s what City Council did Tuesday, but not without an argument.

Fort Bliss Garrison Commander Ed Manning told City Council that by 2010 there will be a serious multi-family housing shortfall at Fort Bliss, a gap he hoped the city would fill.

“We just wanted to make sure the city and local officials knew what’s coming to Fort Bliss,” Manning said.

Deputy City Manager Pat Adauto said by 2013, Fort Bliss will experience a net gain of well over 28,000 soldiers and 50,000 family and civilian members.

Mayor John Cook said initially the city was told many of the soldiers would be potential home buyers, but that apparently has changed.

And the concern now is without enough apartments to go around, El Pasoans will be forced to pay higher rent.

“With the increased demand for apartments, 8,000 units, if we don’t incentivize building of the units in a very rapid manner, what it’s going to do is make living in apartments for El Pasoans almost impossible based upon our current median wages,” said Kathy Dodson, director of city economic development.

Although the growth of Fort Bliss is extremely important to the community, not everyone agreed that this was the best way to get apartments built. The vote was 5-3.

“I’m not convinced some of the tools or solutions that have been offered up are appropriate,” said city Rep. Susie Byrd.

Rep. Steve Ortega agreed. “In my opinion, we have ignored the core issue and that’s access to capital.”

Byrd, Ortega and Beto O’Rourke all voted against the incentives. Ortega said it’s a loan problem, not an incentive problem.