Maureen Galindo is a family therapist and housing organizer.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
I’m Maureen, an advocate for housing justice and participatory democracy. I’ve lived in San Antonio for 10 years — eight years currently and previously when I attended UTSA, graduating in 2010. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in liberation-based psychology, helping individuals and communities heal from systemic harm. I also have a private practice in sex therapy supporting people in developing self-agency over their bodies and heal from trauma.
My lived experience getting displaced as a single mom at Soapworks Apartments downtown jump started my housing justice work, showing me firsthand how unstable housing devastates the health of communities. Since then, I’ve fought for policies that protect residents from displacement, hold City Hall and developers accountable, and ensure community voices shape our city’s future.
I’ve worked to challenge government-driven land value inflation that’s displacing homeowners, tenants, and small businesses alike. My commitment to justice comes from both personal experience and professional expertise, and I’m determined to bring that passion to City Council.
List any previous experience in government or participation on local boards, commissions, or neighborhood associations.
I have not run for elected office before, but have extensive experience and influence shaping city policy. My work began with building a tenants union at Soapworks Apartments when we were being priced out in 2018. That led to me forcing space in City Hall to shape a participatory policy making process for San Antonio’s rent relief program in 2019, ensuring community voices were central to its design.
Because of that program, San Antonio secured hundreds of millions of dollars in rent relief during the pandemic, directly helping thousands of San Antonio residents stay housed. I’ve also worked closely with grassroots coalitions to hold City Hall accountable and push for policies that prevent displacement and curb government-driven land value inflation.
My experience navigating city processes, shaping policy, organizing with impacted communities, and having no fears of holding government entities accountable to their jobs has prepared me to bring a people-centered approach to City Hall and ensure residents have a real voice in decision-making.
In the city’s 2024-2025 budget survey, residents ranked homelessness, streets, housing and animal care services among their top concerns for the city to address. Which issues do you consider a top concern for District 1 and how would you work to address them in your first 100 days?
The number one thing I’ll do in my first 100 days is shift the power imbalance so that non-elected city management no longer controls the future of San Antonio. The mayor and city council must start holding city management accountable and enforce that decisions reflect the needs of residents, not bureaucratic interests.
Housing costs remains my top concern for District 1. I will push for stronger protections against displacement, including property tax relief and stricter mixed-income housing contracts with developers. Homelessness, directly tied to the housing crisis, must be addressed through creative outreach and collaboration, and for the sake of basic humaneness, must not be criminalized.
Additionally, I will improve infrastructure by increasing oversight of construction contracts to ensure efficient use of funds. Public safety is also a priority, which is why I will have a staff member who is a public housing tenant dedicated to ensuring safety for Opportunity Home tenants, who are often targeted for crime, impacting surrounding communities.
In a crowded field of council candidates, what differentiates you from the others?
What sets me apart from other candidates is my fearlessness in taking on entrenched power systems. Unlike many political candidates, I don’t engage in political posturing. My work has been built on authentically listening to and advocating for the most vulnerable—fighting for tenants’ rights, pushing back against government-driven land inflation, and holding City Hall accountable for prioritizing developers over residents. I have a documented history that proves I’m willing to fight for what’s just.
My work reflects a commitment to lasting, systemic change and the knowledge of how to do it. I’m not running to play political power games; I’m here to ensure the voices of everyday people are heard, respected, and reflected in our city’s policies. I bring a passion and dedication to expanding true justice that no other candidate does.
If elected, how do you plan to solicit input and feedback from residents in your district?
If elected, I will prove to the residents of District 1 that I’m authentic in my commitment to real change. My goal is to empower residents to actively participate in the decision-making process, so both elected and non-elected City Hall officials are directly accountable to the people.
For meaningful participation to happen, residents must feel confident that their voices will be heard and respected. With a Master’s in Community Psychology, grounded in participatory methodology, and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, I understand the importance of creating a safe, welcoming environment for community input. I will create opportunities for open dialogue through regular town halls, neighborhood meetings, and digital platforms, where residents can share their concerns without fear of dismissal. By fostering these spaces, I will ensure that City Hall truly reflects the needs and concerns of District 1.
Read more about Maureen Galindo
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