NB Housing Partners collaborates with the Comal County Homeless Coalition (CCHC), which has managed a Point In Time (PIT) count that measures changes in volume and circumstances of homelessness in our community since 2009. Data shows homelessness is rising. We believe it can only end with effective, coordinated community intervention.

• 2018 and 2021 Workforce Housing Studies commissioned by the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce showed approximately 48% of area renters are housing-cost-burdened.
• The community’s growth, coupled with a lack of growth in affordable housing, has driven a sharp increase in rents, leaving households at up to 80% AMI burdened by the cost of housing.
• In the first 2 years of our First Footing program, 455 unduplicated individuals were provided shelter. These individuals have lived in New Braunfels for an average of 15.4 years and a median of 4 years. Thus, most ARE FROM HERE.
• In the last year, 508 individuals sought our help due to a housing crisis, surpassing those served in the first two years combined.
• Local public housing authority and private subsidized housing programs have long waiting lists with no immediate solutions for those who are struggling financially.
• The number surveyed in the 2022 Point In Time count doubled from 2020 and revealed that 32% were unsheltered and 60% were homeless longer than 4 months. The 2023 Point In Time count showed a 10% increase from the 2022 count, as well as a 47% increase in the number of chronically homeless and a 32% increase in the number of unsheltered individuals surveyed.

NB Housing Partners is here to prevent and end homelessness and improve affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families in our community.

The negative impact for adults experiencing homelessness AND our community is:

• Homelessness creates or exacerbates health problems, substance addictions, and mental illness; it increases exposure to physical violence, police involvement, and the need for emergency care services, straining community resources.
• A 2012 HUD report estimated community costs of $40,000 a year for a homeless person to live on the streets, when considering uncompensated medical emergency healthcare, hospital stays, police enforcement of codes/laws, and county jail time.
• According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, “People who are homeless have higher rates of illness and die on average 12 years sooner than the general U.S. population.”

Expanding affordable housing options and increasing comprehensive care is vital, requiring both a healing and a housing focus, to resolve the emotional and physical cost of homelessness for both consumers and our community.