For their service: Concho Valley Homeless Coalition looking for homeless veterans to house

Rosanna Fraire, San Angelo Standard-Times
·3 min read

Lisa Martinez comes from a family of veterans — her mom, dad, mother-in-law and stepdaughter— all of whom have served.

"I believe that veterans selflessly give a part of themselves to protect and support us without expecting anything in return," Martinez, who works for the Housing Authority of San Angelo, said. "In turn, we owe it to them to ensure they don’t face housing instability. No veteran should worry about where they’ll sleep or where their next meal will come from."

Homeless veterans housing, Country Cottages, is a new initiative in San Angelo.
Homeless veterans housing, Country Cottages, is a new initiative in San Angelo.

The Housing Authority of San Angelo, Concho Valley Homeless Coalition and other local organizations have combined their efforts to open housing for homeless veterans.

Bob Salas, city of San Angelo neighborhood services director, presented a resolution to the City Council recently for their support in lowering homelessness rates in San Angelo.

Homelessness among veterans has increased nationwide by over 7%, reaching 35,574 in 2023 while here inSan Angelo, the number jumped from 8% to 12% over the same period, Salas presented.

"We must remember that freedom is not free, and the men and women who have served in the military to keep our nation safe from foreign threats deserve access to affordable housing," according to Salas' resolution.

On June 1, 2023, the city provided American Rescue Plan funds to the Housing Authority of San Angelo in the amount of $554,410 to renovate an apartment complex to house homeless veterans and $100,000 for follow-up case management.

"With the project completed and the Concho Valley Homeless Coalition member organizations offering resources and programs to assist homeless Veterans, the Coalition believes we can end veteran homelessness in San Angelo," the resolution stated.

A new initiative will lift veterans out of homelessness.
A new initiative will lift veterans out of homelessness.

Now, the coalition plans to identify all homeless veterans within a 90-day period, which started on July 1 and provide either transitional or permanent housing for those who want it. They will be followed by case management to transition from homelessness to permanent housing and help sustain their long-term success.

The resolution of support was approved by the City Council.

As housing stability case manager, Martinez will be managing this program through the San Angelo Housing Authority.

More: Growing in God's presence: Concho Valley Turning Point opens women's transitional housing

"We are in the beginning stages of getting referrals," Martinez said. "Right now we are getting referrals from all the local service providers that already work with veterans."

They have already received referrals from San Angelo Counseling, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing case workers, Catholic Outreach, Concho Valley Community Action Agency and West Texas Counseling & Guidance.

"We also had a few veterans that were already in our Homeless Management Information System that we use for our rapid rehousing program," Martinez said. "I will be reaching out to all local organizations in search of any homeless veterans to hopefully be able to get them all linked up with me and this case management program."

All of the veterans referred will be given a coordinated entry assessment that will put them in the Homeless Management Information System.

The housing, Country Cottages, can house eight veterans.

Homeless veterans housing, Country Cottages, in San Angelo was created from a renovated apartment complex.
Homeless veterans housing, Country Cottages, in San Angelo was created from a renovated apartment complex.

"However, they do not have to choose to live there," Martinez said. "Our ultimate goal is to find affordable housing for all the homeless veterans through various programs and all resources combined. I believe at the last count, there was approximately 14 identified homeless veterans. However, though talking with different agencies we are thinking there is closer to 30.

"This program aims to provide veterans with their basic human right: a stable home. By addressing the barriers that lead to homelessness, we can break the cycle. San Angelo has been diligently working to offer resources to the homeless population, and the VA case management program is another crucial step toward helping them get off the streets and into a home."

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Concho Valley Homeless Coalition opens housing for homeless veterans