In late January 2016 volunteers in San Antonio and across the nation undertook the annual homeless count. In San Antonio, the homeless count has delivered an unexpected result. This week theSouth Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homelessposted their point-in-time count for San Antonio and showed a 4 percent decrease in homeless across the city.
Speaking on The Source Tuesday Mayor Ivy Taylor called the report good news and may reflect the city’s effort to deal with homeless veterans.
On Friday Taylor announced that San Antonio has effectively ended veteran homelessness.
“Since last January we’ve provided more than 1300 homeless veterans with permanent housing – we’re working with all those partners – we especially want to thank USAA.”
USAA made a $2 million dollar contribution for the program. However, two other large Texas cities are showing growth in their homeless population – according to their point-in-time counts.
Dallas showed a 21 percent increase and Austin a 20 percent increase.
“I think that certainly stands to reason – if are looking at the overall homeless population and we move over 1300 off the streets than the overall number should go down.”
Taylor said that affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization continues to be a priority for her administration and she is waiting for the housing commission’s report which is expected at the end of the month. That recommendation could be an item that ends up on the 2017 bond election ballot.
Guest:
- Ivy Taylor, Mayor of San Antonio
