The homeless population in Hays County has seen a startling increase over the last four years, with numbers doubling since 2020. Results from a 'point in time' count conducted in January reveal that the number of individuals without permanent housing has surged to 210, as per a report during a Hays County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday. CBS Austin reported that in 2020, only 102 people were counted as homeless. The growing crisis has been flagged as a county-wide issue, affecting areas beyond San Marcos, with instances of homelessness found in Dripping Springs, Buda, and with people living in encampments near Kyle.
According to a CBS Austin article, the homelessness issue in Hays County had been perceived as a problem central to San Marcos initially. Over the last year though, other cities and counties have become engaged in addressing the problem. Reverend Joshua Sutherlun of the First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos noted, "It has taken a while for us to get the counties and other cities on board with us, but there has been some great growth in those areas over the last year." The demographics of those affected pose a unique challenge as well, with data presented revealing that a majority of the sheltered homeless population are minors.
During the same Commissioners Court meeting, concerns were voiced over the number of children under 18 who are sheltered with no place to call home. "I'm concerned about the high number of children under 18 that are in our shelters right now," stated a Hays County Commissioner. As reported by KXAN, the most recent data also indicates that the cohort of unsheltered individuals is mainly between the ages of 35 and 54 and includes many struggling with serious mental illness or those who are categorized as chronically homeless.
The challenges faced by younger members of the homeless population, notably teenagers, are multifaceted. These youth often go unnoticed as they find nightly respite on couches or within the businesses where they eke out a living. Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith highlighted the tribulations of these young people, "They are having a hard time going to school because they have to earn that living in order to pay for their day-to-day needs. So, they’re in the workforce yet they’re still trying to attend high school." Further complicating matters is the fact the Point-in-Time count likely understates the full scope of homelessness, as it captures only those individuals who were homeless on the day of the count.
According to CBS Austin, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra has expressed a commitment to addressing the crisis by fostering community collaboration, "I am going to take an active role in making sure we are bringing everyone to the table to make sure that we don’t make things worse." The Hays County Homeless Coalition acknowledges the efforts of Buda, Kyle, and Wimberley in joining hands with San Marcos to form a united front against homelessness. As the county waits for further data, including numbers from school districts to present a clearer picture of student homelessness, the coalition and county leadership are aiming for increased participation in round-table discussions and the enhancement of housing programs.
