Vote to ease homelessness, reduce the risk

WProposition F is an unprecedented opportunity to improve a dire situation

e’ve written before about our support for the city’s proposed 2022-2027 bond, a $1.2 billion package that would fund progress on some of our city’s most pressing needs without a tax increase. We strongly recommend voting for all six propositions in Saturday’s election, but we want to highlight Proposition F — a remarkable opportunity to address our city’s affordable housing crisis.

This measure warrants special consideration; we enthusiastically support any effort that generates and preserves affordable housing, and any efforts to help people transition out of homelessness or the risk of it.

We’ve all seen the tents downtown and around our city, and we shouldn’t just look past them. People who are homeless are among the most vulnerable. We must take action to bring people off the streets, and to prevent additional and future homelessness. Capacity for permanent and emergency housing for people experiencing homelessness isn’t keeping up with demand, and there’s an increase in families on the brink of homelessness.

Nikisha J. Baker, president and CEO of Samministries, a homeless prevention nonprofit, told our Editorial Board about 600 households on a “coordinated entry list,” deemed vulnerable enough to need permanent supportive housing intervention — but there is no availability.

Since January, 11 total units of permanent supportive housing have become available from all local homeless providers.

“We are sorely lacking in capacity relative to permanent supportive housing,” she said.

The complex effort of helping people who are homeless requires a multifaceted approach that already has started in our city but would benefit from significant additional funding. Without voter approval of this bond, efforts to grow capacity could be derailed.

What the city has proposed is an unprecedented opportunity. Using the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing First approach as a guide, this will be the first time the city invests bond dollars into activities specifically to address homelessness, Mayor Ron Nirenberg told us.

Aligned with the strategic Housing Implementation Plan, which City Council adopted in December, Proposition F would dedicate $150 million across an array of housing issues. The proposition calls for:

• $45 million devoted to homeownership rehabilitation and preservation.

• $40 million for low-income rental housing acquisition and repairs.

• $25 million for permanent supportive housing and wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness.

• $35 million for rental housing production and acquisition to prioritize public housing/income-based housing.

• $5 million for homeownership production for low-income households.

Baker, who attended bond planning meetings, told us if voters approve Proposition F, she anticipates a competitive funding application process for more high-impact projects that include 350 to 500 new permanent supportive housing units and supportive services that help clients remain stable, such as medical care, mental health care, life skills and education workshops.

She also said the funding has the potential to leverage other funding opportunities.

Every dollar is crucial when serving people who are homeless. In fiscal year 2021, Samministries served 2,074 San Antonio/bexar County households — an increase of 22 percent compared with fiscal year 2020, Baker said.

Celeste Eggert, vice president and chief development officer at Haven For Hope, a nonprofit that operates the largest homeless emergency shelter in San Antonio, said the number of people seeking shelter there has not increased, but the shelter is still limiting capacity. The pandemic, she said, has compounded the challenge of sheltering people.

“Housing is the exit strategy from homelessness. It is vital to us that people support this bond,” she said, adding that a downtown hotel it runs in partnership with the city provides shelter for 300 people.

The organizations and people of our city who work to serve people who are homeless can’t do it alone. Ignoring homelessness is not a solution. Voters have the power to help make a difference.

Once again, we recommend voting for Proposition F.