The “one-stop-shop” model of Haven for Hope is continuing to restore the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness.
A homeless man in San Antonio named Nate shared in an interview posted on social media by the organization that he had been homeless for about five years. Now, Nate is living independently after going through Haven for Hope’s programming.
“I was beginning to feel like a caveman — living without a home, house, shelter. It will get to you after a while,” Nate said. “I knew I had to make a change. I knew I wasn’t heading down the right road anymore. And I never thought I really was, and it just kept getting worse. And so I had to do something. And of course, I ended up here.”
Nate said he has benefited from Haven’s programming and that he feels “much better” than when he was living in the tunnels of San Antonio. He enrolled in the Men’s Dorm and began working with Haven’s supportive services to help him get back on his feet.
“Haven for Hope has helped me a lot,” Nate said. “They can pretty much do it all and give you the assistance that you need. Even I was skeptical about coming here, but now that I’ve been here and seeing what I’ve done and the help that I’ve got — I didn’t make a mistake at all. I want to succeed.”
In the video shared by Haven, Nate can be seen viewing his new apartment for the first time.
“I think I’ll do just fine,” Nate said. “Haven for Hope [is] what got me here … If I can do it, anybody else can do it. That’s for sure. [You] just got to have faith and patience and put a little work into it, and you [will] get it done.”
As previously covered by The Dallas Express, Haven for Hope’s “one-stop-shop” model has been credited with a 77% reduction in homelessness in San Antonio. This strategy involves providing housing and supportive services such as counseling and job skills development on the same campus.
This model has previously polled favorably among Dallas residents. Recently, local stakeholders have aimed to bring a similar approach to Dallas, as previously covered by The Dallas Express. However, it remains to be seen whether this effort will receive support from the local government.
Meanwhile, Dallas residents continue to say they are frustrated with homelessness, vagrancy, and panhandling, according to a survey.
