Food banks often do more than basic food distribution by offering programs that help people gain a foothold out of poverty. Workforce training, financial literacy classes and access to benefits all fall within this category.

Now, San Antonio Food Bank is expanding even further the definition of what a food bank does. Its construction of an apartment complex for working families makes it the first food bank in the nation to build affordable housing.

President and CEO Eric Cooper doesn’t see the effort as too much of a stretch, given the food bank’s overall goal of helping people. Compared to organizations that keep a strict focus, “I believe it’s OK to change lanes,” he said. “Just stay on the same highway. We’re not in danger of going off-roading because what we do is people.”

The food bank hopes to be welcoming people into the Apple Seeds Apartments by summer 2022. Built with families with children in mind, the transitional housing development will be located right next to one of the food bank’s existing distribution centers. It will offer an on-site child care center and 51 high-quality apartments at about 25% off market rates.

In addition to the savings, families will benefit by having a portion of their monthly payments put into an account that they’ll be able to access at the end of their two- to three-year rental. Food-bank case managers will work with families to identify how best to use the funds, such as for debt reduction, education or other housing.

The temporary support is expected to help families build up equity and assets, and ultimately a pathway out of poverty. “The strategy is to try to give a little breathing room so there’s stability and security,” Cooper said. “It will be interesting to see how this changes their trajectory.

Read the full article about affordable housing by Chris Costanzo at The Counter.