NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — A year into its operation, the First Footing Program in New Braunfels says it’s ready for a more permanent facility. 

“We are looking for a permanent site,” Kellie Stallings, the program’s coordinated entry administrator, said. “The First Footing Program operates in a few rooms [inside the Edelweiss Inn and] is really focused on helping people move from homelessness to housing stability.”

The program began in February 2021. It’s a program out of NB Housing Partners.

According to its website, NB Housing Partners is a partnership of individuals and organizations from New Braunfels, such as the McKenna Foundation, New Braunfels Food Bank, Salvation Army and HIS Centre. 

The program helps house those who are experiencing homelessness through their hotel-based model. It provides help in applying for documentation like identification, birth certificates and sometimes mental and behavioral health services. 

“We have seen over the last 10 years that the number of people who have experienced more than once or for longer than six months is growing rapidly,” Stallings said. 

Stallings says the program has helped more than 270 people receive shelter and more than 100 people find permanent housing.

“It’s here to get back on your feet,” Ruben Camareno said. 

Camareno says he was staying with the program for about five months, and by staying at the hotel he didn’t have to worry about a place to seek shelter and instead could focus on working. 

“I didn’t just stay here in the daytime, I would go to people’s houses to see who needed their grass cut, leaves raked, pick up their trash,” he said. 

Stallings said the program is looking into a permanent facility of their own but has received push back from citizens in the community during city council meetings. 

“To be able to make an impact in our community both for those who are experiencing homelessness as well as people who choose to live in our community, we have to work together to help those most vulnerable,” she said. 

At the March 28 New Braunfels City Council meeting, council members heard from a consultant, Dr. Robert G. Marbut, on a presentation about homelessness in the city. 

In one of his key observations, Marbut found that 82.1% of those experiencing homelessness were already living in Comal or Guadalupe Counties before they started experiencing homelessness. 

“When we first started [the program] we noticed our average number of people staying per night was 27 to 28, now it’s close to our maximum of 34 and we are keeping a long waiting list and we know there are other people in our community that aren’t coming forward yet,” Stallings said. 

For individuals like Camareno who were once unhoused, he says the program was the helping hand he needed. 

“I have my life back,” he said. “I have a nice apartment now for myself. I enjoy it.”