Reduce Homelessness

More of the Story

Between 2010 and 2020, this indicator was measured by both the number of sheltered and unsheltered persons. In 2021, this indicator was changed to measure only unsheltered persons during the Point-In-Time Count, as those who are homeless and unsheltered may not be currently served by one of the homeless providers in the county and may require different shelter options than those currently being offered. The 2020 Point-In-Time Count, which counts the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night, showed an increase of 7% over 2019.

An unsheltered count The Point-In-Time Count for 2021 was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis. In May of 2022, South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) published the 2022 Point-In-Time Count Report which counted both sheltered and unsheltered persons for the first time since 2020. The sheltered count increased by about 30% from 2021, while the unsheltered count decreased by nearly 30% from 2020. This change can be partly attributed to the Haven for Hope Courtyard shifting its classification from unsheltered to sheltered following the 2020 count after moving sleeping arrangements from outdoors to indoors. There was a 2% increase in the overall count of people experiencing homelessness from 2020 to 2022. About 0.14% of Bexar County’s total population is experiencing homelessness, which has remained relatively flat since 2020. The 2022 Point-In-Count included new demographics and questions, such as sexual orientation and the top three needs of people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio.

In December 2020, the City of San Antonio's Department of Human Services released a 5-year Strategic Plan to Respond to Homelessness in San Antonio and Bexar County. This plan, co-created with a wide range of providers, provides action steps for reducing homelessness.

The City of San Antonio’s Neighborhood Housing Department offers rental or mortgage assistance and resources.