Construction of the new Fire Station No. 2 at South Water Lane is underway and has provided the opportunity to lease the former Fire Station No. 2, located at 4120 Loop 337, to the NBHP, according to City Manager Robert Camareno.
“The New Braunfels Housing Partners have been looking for a location to continue to provide their services through their First Footing Program; they are currently at the Edelweiss Inn,” Camareno said. “However, that is not a sustainable long-term option for this program.”
The First Footing Program has been operating since 2021 and served around 400 individuals with shelter, support, case management and housing plan services for a total of nearly 18,500 nights of shelter provided in total.
The program serves an average of 30 individuals on a nightly basis. The demand increases to nearly 50 individuals on cold weather nights, according to the city. Approximately 140 individuals were reconnected with other communities closer to their support systems to meet their needs.
The program’s support services extend beyond shelter operations and include services, including identification documentation recovery, finding employment opportunities and re-establishment of benefit income, including retirement, disability or food assistance.
The First Footing Program also provides the New Braunfels Police Department an option when they encounter individuals requiring shelter services. Police Chief Keith Lane said the department has a close relationship with the NBHP, and the services they provide through the First Footing Program is invaluable to them.
“Our officers encounter homeless individuals on a daily basis,” Lane said. “And what First Footing allows us to do is, if we encounter those individuals that don’t have housing and don’t have shelter but want that, if they meet the criteria, we’re able to take them directly to first footing, ... and we can get the officer back on the street.”
The proposed lease to the First Footing program includes items that are similar to other lease arrangements the city of New Braunfels has with other nonprofit agencies using city property/facilities. The cost to use the former fire station would be $1 per year, with an initial 25-year lease. The NBHP will be responsible for all renovation, repair and utility costs throughout the course of the lease.
The First Footing Program will move into the building after completing renovations. The New Braunfels City Council approved authorizing the lease agreement unanimously during their Nov. 28 regular meeting.
