DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Haven for Hope Campus Development and Briefing
SUMMARY:
This item provides a briefing by the Department of Human Services and Haven for Hope of Bexar County on Haven for Hope Campus development, results and current activities. Additionally, it provides a briefing on City of San Antonio policies and related Homeless initiatives.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In January 2005, the San Antonio City Council adopted a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness. On February 13, 2006, Mayor Phil Hardberger committed to accelerating the City's plan through the development of a comprehensive homeless campus. The campus became fully operational in May 2010. The Campus is located within one and one half miles from central downtown, comprised of multiple buildings on approximately 22 acres, and has the capacity to house over 1,500 homeless men, women, and family members daily. Haven for Hope and more than 80 partner organizations provide on-campus services, including: shelter, meals, job training and employment readiness, education, medical, mental health, and addiction services. Campus operations and services are funded through multiple public and private sources, including the City of San Antonio General Fund, federal grants, State and Bexar County, private fundraising, and donations.
The Department of Human Services manages City of San Antonio homeless services investments. DHS provides oversight of City owned assets and contracts with Haven for Hope, campus partners, and other homeless providers; participates on the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH); coordinates the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness and the Zero: 2016 initiatives; and coordinates policy research and analysis.
ISSUE:
Since Haven for Hope opened in May 2010, campus services have evolved to adapt to the changing needs of the San Antonio homeless population, federal policy and the larger community. Current Haven for Hope initiatives include enrichments to Prospects Courtyard to increase psychiatric, medical and other support services; implementation of a community-based service approach to transformation services on the main campus; coordination with the municipal court system to address the needs of homeless and mentally ill defendants; and establishment of a partnership with Thrive Youth Center to serve homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) youth in San Antonio.
The Department of Human Services, in collaboration with community partners, is leading initiatives to reduce the number of homeless veterans and chronic homeless individuals and families in San Antonio. Efforts include realignment of homeless resources to support permanent supportive housing, establishing a Navigator Peer Support Program to assist homeless veterans in meeting housing requirements, and establishing a community structure focused on increasing permanent supportive and affordable housing.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.