SAN ANTONIO — On Tuesday, Bexar County Commissioners Court approved $5.25 million dollars in funding to support homelessness initiatives in the county.
The funding will increase the supply of permanent supportive housing, and a new pilot program in Precinct 2 to diagnose individuals and fund capital improvements at Haven for Hope.
In the most recent homeless points in time count, there were 3,155 people experiencing homelessness in the county, that's a 5.3% increase from 2022.
"It's important to note that 75% of people experiencing chronic homelessness have a co-occurring disability, so they are eligible for permanent supportive housing," said Robert H. Reyna, the community development director for Bexar County.
According to evidence-based practices, combining long term housing with supportive services like case management, healthcare, and substance use treatment is the best way to help those suffering from chronic homelessness.
"Locally, the housing intervention has a 96% housing stability rate, so it's key to addressing the issue of homelessness in Bexar County," said Reyna.
In November of 2022, the city and county agreed to collaborate resources to maximize impacts of their investments to address homelessness. Together they are putting aside more than $42 million dollars for permanent housing. The funding will also help Haven for Hope with improvements and expansion for 120 individuals. Currently the shelter is operating at a 114% capacity.
"This project entails adding shower facilities in the resource center, roof replacement for the adult dorm and transfer transformation center, replacing the HVAC system, and purchasing lockers for overflow families," said Reyna.
The county is also launching a street outreach program with Haven for Hope, and the cities of Leon Valley and Balcones Heights in Precinct 2.
"That is going to provide connectors navigators that are going to go out and outreach to these families, and connect them to services," said County Judge Peter Sakai.
The program would create 2 outreach workers to diagnosis individuals, and get them the help they need.
"It's the county's objective to ensure that homelessness is rare, brief, and non-occurring. So these are very substantial investments, and we just hope to create a more inclusive environment for our county's most vulnerable residents," said Reyna.