Combatting Homelessness in San Antonio
District 2 City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez held a community meeting at the Claude Black Center on Wednesday, June 29th, 2022. This was one of several held in regard to housing for the homeless on the east side. In this meeting, numerous members of the community spoke against the Garden Inn Suites (located next door to Wendy’s on WW White Rd) in becoming a permanent supportive housing project. The purpose of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is to help the homeless in an area and provide permanent stable housing.
But members of the community felt this project would be too close to neighboring schools and was another dumping ground on the East side. Nevertheless, Councilman McKee-Rodriguez heard the community’s concerns and during this meeting, he stated that the Garden Inn Suites would not be used as a permanent supportive housing solution. The Garden Inn will continue to run as an inn.
Although The Garden Inn project ceased, there is a new project that is presently underway to help the homeless senior community. The previously Towne Twin Drive-In Theater will now be turned into a permanent supportive housing solution for the homeless. Towne Twin Village will provide housing, medication needs, and security. It will also provide case management and access to other resources. The community had many questions about the project, but its implementation was not vastly opposed. (Note: Construction has already begun on the Dietrich Rd site.)
