BASTROP, Texas -- A Bastrop County pastor who runs a soup kitchen believes most people are just one crisis away from living on the streets, and it’s inspiring him to help people get back on their feet.

An emergency family shelter in Bastrop County is now accepting applications for people in need of transitional housing. This month, In the Streets Hands Up High Ministry has opened its doors to families living without a home. 

“I had to live in a motel room for a month, before I transitioned over here,” said Michele Ponder.

Ponder’s nine-year-old daughter Heather has special needs. She said she hopes by staying at SAFE, Secure Acre Family Environment emergency shelter, she can save enough money to have a permanent place to live. 

“It makes me feel good about myself, and my daughters health and well-being and everything like that,” Ponder said. 

The ministry’s pastor Roland Nava has seen natural disasters and other forms of crisis devastate families and displace many. 

“How can we turn our back when there are children, you see sleeping in the car, you see them with the mothers and fathers that are wondering where they’re going to sleep,” Nava said. 

After applying, families can stay at SAFE for up to three months. 

“It gives them time to rest and kind of get their thoughts together without worrying what they’re going to do tomorrow,” Nava said. 

Each tiny home comes with two sets of bunk beds, a refrigerator, a microwave, heating and cooling units, and a small table. Residents also have access to showers and have meals at the soup kitchen next door.

It might not necessarily be home, but they said it feels pretty close. 

“That’s what giving them encouragement, you know, we’re going to make it through you know,” Nava said. “It gives them hope, it gives them hope.”  

The ministry still needs sponsors to fund the construction of additional shelters. Each fully furnished house costs about $6,500 to build.