Pathways to Home: DeKalb's Texas Delegation Trip (July 27-31)

Natalie Snedden
Aug 5, 2025
3 min read

By Greg White, Executive Director, A Home For Everyone In DeKalb

I recently returned from the Pathways to Home: DeKalb’s Texas Delegation Trip with many learning moments and much to share. I had the pleasure of traveling with 21 delegates from across the county—including DeKalb Commissioners, a City of Decatur commissioner, mayors, DeKalb County Schools, nonprofit leaders, behavioral health professionals, and staff from the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office.

San Antonio, Texas

Day 1: Meeting with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones & Human Services Department

A common theme echoed throughout: compassion, collaboration, and creative thinking.

San Antonio has a strong street outreach model that operates citywide, building trust with unhoused residents. This model also engages business owners and local neighborhoods in addressing homelessness.

The city has an Unhoused Coalition that meets monthly to discuss what’s working—and what isn’t.

Tour of Haven for Hope

A comprehensive, 37-acre campus solution to homelessness, which includes:

Male, female, and family dorms
Permanent housing
Chapel
Dog and cat kennels
Hair studio
Day center

Established in 2010 with a $100 million budget—60% from private funds and 40% from public funds.

Learn more: www.havenforhope.org

Day 2: San Antonio Pets Alive & Town Twin Village

San Antonio Pets Alive

A fostering agency with a mission to save 5,000 dogs and cats.

They partner with San Antonio Animal Control to rescue pets from encampments.

The agency boasts an 86% placement rate, with adoptions taking place in-state, out-of-state, and even in Canada.

Town Twin Village – A Tiny Home Option

Established in 2023, this 17.4-acre site hosts 127 tiny home units.

Most residents are 55+ and previously unhoused.

Total project cost: $40 million
On-site medical clinic, mental health services, food service
Day center serves 3 meals/day (Monday–Thursday), with a snack on Friday
Showers and laundry services available
Pets are welcome

Houston, Texas

Day 3: Meeting with City Officials & Public Safety Staff

We met with City of Houston officials, Continuum of Care (CoC) representatives, and other stakeholders to gain an understanding of Houston’s coordinated ecosystem. Their unified goal is bold: to end homelessness.

Key Strategies:

City, county, nonprofits, and CoC working together
Prioritized housing for the most vulnerable first (e.g., 100 veterans in 100 days—successfully housed)
The Mayor’s Office assigned staff to attend all homelessness-related meetings

Public Safety Engagement

Sgt. Perez from the Public Safety team shared his direct approach to relationship-building with unhoused individuals. His first questions are:

“Are you thirsty?”
“Are you hungry?”

His patrol car is stocked with water and snacks. He transports individuals to service providers and has helped many find housing. Houston has also made significant progress in cleaning up encampments beneath interstates.

2025 Point-in-Time Count: