During a recent meeting of the San Antonio Planning and Community Development Committee, significant discussions centered on the challenges faced by veterans in accessing housing through vouchers. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for policy changes to combat discrimination against veterans using housing vouchers, particularly the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers.

Veteran advocate and committee member, Mr. Rivera, shared a poignant story about a veteran who, after retiring from the military, found himself homeless due to bureaucratic hurdles in accessing his benefits. This incident underscored the critical need for a streamlined process to ensure veterans receive timely assistance without excessive red tape. Rivera emphasized that while veterans are eager to continue serving their communities, they often face barriers that prevent them from securing stable housing.

Cynthia Garcia, representing the American GI Forum of Bexar County, urged the committee to consider a policy to end source of income discrimination against veterans. She presented compelling data showing that over 1,900 rental listings in San Antonio explicitly reject housing vouchers, effectively denying veterans access to housing. Garcia noted that this discrimination disproportionately affects veterans, pushing them into low-opportunity areas and limiting their choices for safe and suitable homes.

Erin Hahn from Texas Housers echoed these concerns, highlighting that only 7.8% of rental listings in San Antonio accept vouchers. She called for the city to adopt protections for veterans using VASH vouchers, which would prevent landlords from denying housing based solely on the use of these vouchers. Hahn pointed out that many veterans, particularly those with disabilities or PTSD, struggle to find homes that meet their needs due to this discrimination.

The meeting also featured support from other community members, including Brandon Vondera, who shared his personal success story of obtaining a HUD voucher and purchasing a home in San Antonio. He emphasized the positive impact veterans can have in their communities when given the opportunity to secure stable housing.

Commander Pete Bernal of the American GI Forum reinforced the message that no veteran should be denied housing because they use a VASH voucher. He highlighted the broader implications of housing instability, linking it to the mental health crisis among veterans, where 22 veterans die by suicide each day. Bernal argued that removing barriers to housing access is essential for providing veterans with the dignity and stability they deserve.

As the committee considers these discussions, the call for action is clear: San Antonio must take steps to protect veterans from discrimination in housing, ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive in the communities they once served. The next steps will involve further deliberation on proposed policies aimed at improving access to housing for veterans and addressing the systemic issues that have long affected this population.