If San Antonio Wants to Tackle Homelessness, Houston’s Success Could Hold the Key
As San Antonio’s growth brings exciting opportunities, it also intensifies challenges, particularly in providing affordable and accessible housing—a critical issue that the city must address to ensure equitable progress for all its residents.
In fall 2023, Ensemble Texas founder Cory Ames interviewed Marc Eichenbaum, Houston’s former Special Assistant for Homeless Initiatives, about the city’s decade-long fight against homelessness to see what lessons could be learned.
The interview occurred before Houston’s 2023 mayoral election, which saw John Whitmire elected and taking office on January 1, 2024. Eichenbaum’s insights emphasized the importance of collaboration, political will, and innovative strategies—offering valuable lessons for San Antonio.
Houston’s Early Challenges and Transformational Change
In 2011, Houston had the fifth-largest homeless population in the U.S., with over 8,500 individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night. Despite spending tens of millions of dollars annually, the numbers continued to rise. Recognizing the need for systemic change, Houston launched “The Way Home,” a regional response system focused on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
Eichenbaum explained during the interview, “We were spending a lot of money and getting anecdotal stories of success. What we needed was thousands of Jane Does to emerge from homelessness, not just one.” The pivot from managing homelessness to solving it marked the beginning of a decade-long transformation. By 2023, Houston had reduced homelessness by 63% and housed over 25,000 individuals.
Homelessness as a 'Costly' Housing Issue
A cornerstone of Houston’s success lay in recognizing that homelessness was primarily a housing issue.
Eichenbaum noted, “90% of individuals offered housing with integrated services remain housed two years or longer.” Data showed that lack of affordable and accessible housing—not behavioral health issues—was the primary driver of homelessness. States with affordable housing, like West Virginia, saw lower rates of homelessness, even with high substance abuse or poverty levels.
For San Antonio, where homelessness increased by nearly 7% in 2024 to 3,372 individuals, addressing housing affordability remains a critical challenge. Rising rents—up 14% between 2020 and 2024—and a shortage of affordable units exacerbate the crisis.
Eichenbaum also highlighted a sobering fact: it had been more expensive to leave individuals unhoused. Managing homelessness through healthcare, law enforcement, and emergency responses cost cities $40,000 to $80,000 per person annually. In contrast, housing individuals with wraparound services costs $20,000 to $30,000. Transitioning to a housing-first model reduced Houston’s costs by 70%, saving over $70 million annually.
Coordination and Collaboration: Houston’s Winning Formula
Collaboration was key to Houston’s success. The city created a unified system involving over 100 agencies, nonprofits, and private sector partners, all aligned toward shared goals. Eichenbaum likened effective collaboration to a “dragon boat,” where progress depends on everyone rowing in sync and following a unified rhythm. This approach included:
• Landlord Engagement: A dedicated liaison team worked with landlords, offering monetary incentives of $1,600 per unit to house individuals with vouchers.
• Private Sector Support: Companies like Chevron and JPMorgan Chase provided financial and organizational support, while business leaders served on nonprofit boards to ensure alignment with homelessness reduction goals.
• Institutionalizing Systems: To ensure continuity across mayoral transitions, Houston institutionalized its approach, reducing dependence on single-point leadership.
Houston’s progress required steadfast political leadership. Eichenbaum credited former mayors Anise Parker and Sylvester Turner for championing the issue despite political hurdles. Turner, in particular, built upon Parker’s initiatives rather than discarding them, ensuring the program’s momentum. This continuity allowed Houston to maintain focus on long-term solutions while adapting to changing needs.
Houston’s strategy also prioritized preserving and expanding affordable housing. Developers receiving public funds committed to maintaining affordability for 10 to 20 years. When affordability terms expired, the city reinvested to renew them. Eichenbaum emphasized targeting units for individuals earning 0-30% of the area median income, a crucial step for addressing homelessness effectively. For San Antonio, with 95,000 cost-burdened households, such investments are essential.
Lessons for San Antonio and Future Directions
San Antonio’s growing homelessness crisis demands a comprehensive response. As Eichenbaum noted during the interview, “Homelessness touches every system—healthcare, law enforcement, and housing. To address it, you need a unified approach that prioritizes housing as the foundation for success.” Houston’s story demonstrated that significant reductions in homelessness were achievable with the right mix of collaboration, innovative incentives, and sustained political commitment.
By institutionalizing systems, engaging private partners, and focusing on long-term affordability, San Antonio can replicate Houston’s success. The cost of inaction is too high—financially and morally.
Houston’s journey highlights the impact of commitment, innovation, and collaboration—offering a valuable roadmap for progress, especially at such a critical juncture for our city.
