Coordinated Homelessness Prevention Response Launched
May 31, 2021 - San Antonio
Help during hard times. The City of San Antonio, the Department of Human Services, and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) recently announced the launch of a coordinated homelessness prevention and eviction response system to assist people facing housing instability due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Mart Productions.
By Jade Esteban Estrada, Staff Writer | San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Organizations have launched a coordinated homelessness prevention and eviction response system to assist people facing housing instability due to the Covid-19 pandemic
- The San Antonio/Bexar County area is one of the few communities nationwide to implement such a system
The City of San Antonio, the Department of Human Services, and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) recently announced the launch of a coordinated homelessness prevention and eviction response system to assist people facing housing instability due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The San Antonio/Bexar County area is one of the few communities nationwide to implement such a system, according to a City press release.
“For years, our community has had many effective service providers and tools to keep people housed. In response to the pandemic, those programs rapidly expanded to meet the community’s needs,” said a City spokesperson.
The Homelessness Prevention Response fully coordinates these services, streamlining referrals and handoffs to make it easier for people to receive assistance. A unique aspect of the response system is the addition of an equity-driven intake and screening tool that ensures the most vulnerable residents get the extra supportive services they need. The timing of this implementation is crucial considering the impending end of the eviction moratorium and ongoing pandemic-related struggles with employment and housing.
Planning for the Homelessness Prevention Response has been a collaborative effort among several partner agencies including SARAH, the City of San Antonio’s Human Services and Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, Bexar County Department of Community Development, Endeavors, The Salvation Army, SAMMinistries, St. Vincent de Paul, SA Hope Center, Catholic Charities, Haven for Hope, San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD), and ICF International (HUD technical assistance providers).
The next step in implementing the Homelessness Prevention Response will be adding a Homeless Prevention landing page to sacrd.org, a comprehensive online directory of resources offered in and around San Antonio.
Residents can access prevention resources through the following means:
City of San Antonio, Department of Human Services Homeless Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
City of San Antonio, Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) at their website.
SARAH’s help and access to housing page can be found here.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @getjaded