SAMMinistries is prepared to help homeless

A 40 year legacy of overcoming homelessness in San Antonio

At last count, there were close to 3,000 homeless people in San Antonio. Chronic homelessness, involving those with 12 accumulated months of living on the streets, has increased by 77 percent since 2020. Shelters are overflowing. Resources are stretched. Everyone agrees something must be done.

San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries, or SAMMinistries, has been on the front line of homeless intervention since 1981; we understand the city’s frustration. We understand homelessness is more visible, encampments have cropped up in places where they hadn’t before, and most people want those experiencing homelessness off the streets.

We share those frustrations. We know firsthand that the work to end homelessness is difficult because the face of homelessness has changed. Our shelter has a waitlist, and the needs of families and young adults between 18 and 24 are overwhelming.

Our response must be equal to the task.

In December 2021, the San Antonio City Council approved the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan, or SHIP, with a 10-year target of meeting the city’s housing needs. Then in May, voters approved a $150 million first-of-its-kind housing bond. And last month, San Antonio became the first city to surpass its promise to house 1,500 individuals experiencing homelessness as part of the Biden administration’s House America initiative.

We’ve built momentum with our citywide effort, and we’re leaning on our best resources, knowledge and experience to make a difference. SAMMinistries is proud to be part of the coordinated response.

The next step in our city’s campaign against homelessness is $25 million designated for Permanent Supportive Housing, or PSH, as part of the 2023 housing bond. SAMMinistries is ready to meet the need by offering shelter and support with dignity and compassion.

In the past 40 years, we’ve learned two things: Moving people from encampment to encampment does not solve the problem, and housing alone won’t make a difference. We know that PSH has the greatest impact. This is housing where case managers provide support services for families or individuals experiencing homelessness so they can live independently. PSH promotes stability, employment and well-being. It’s been successful in improving school attendance. SAMMinistries operates 175 PSH units in San Antonio and will soon add 60 more. In the next 10 years, our city plans to bring 1,000 PSH units online, and we must be ready.

The need doesn’t wait. Fifty-two percent of San Antonians are on the brink of homelessness — a combination of those living in poverty and those who are working poor. Our goal of stable housing in San Antonio has many hurdles, from funding challenges to community sentiment that wants to help the homeless, just not in their neighborhoods. It’s going to require the collaboration of government, nonprofits, the faith community, health care providers, businesses, corporations, neighborhoods and developers. It’s also going to take experience.

SAMMinistries has provided a continuum of care for four decades — prevention services, shelter, street outreach, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, veterans housing and PSH. We’re up to the task and ready to build on our city’s momentum. The problem is critical, and we must act with urgency.

Let’s work on the solution together.

Nikisha J. Baker

President and CEO of SAMMinistries.