According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the United States increased by 118,376 between 2023 and 2024.
In New Braunfels, similar trends are taking place, with the estimated number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness rising by 200% since 2020, according to Comal County's 2026 Point in Time count, or PIT.
Digging deeper
The PIT gauges changes in homelessness in the surrounding area, year over year. The data was compiled in partnership with the Comal County Homeless Coalition and the McKenna Foundation, Kellie Stallings, executive director of NB Housing Partners, said. NB Housing Partners is a local nonprofit that aims to provide assistance to the homeless population in Comal County through affordable housing, outreach and shelters.
In 2020, 11 individuals in Comal County claimed to be experiencing chronic homelessness. So far in 2026, that number has risen to 33. The total number of individuals observed to be unhoused was 46 in 2020, and has increased to 126 in 2026.
Between 2025 and 2026, chronic homelessness in Comal County has risen by approximately 7%, according to the McKenna Foundation.
Stallings said the continual rise in homeless individuals can be attributed to various economic factors, like the cost of living, along with the lack of affordable housing options.
According to previous reporting from Community Impact, Comal County’s population increased by 27.8% from 2020-2025. New Braunfels saw a 28.8% rise in population during the same time period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While New Braunfels is growing, Stallings said surplus housing currently being built is meant for those with middle to upper-class income.
What’s being done
Stallings said NB Housing Partners is working to continue expanding capacity at some of its housing facilities and increase community partnerships.
“We’re working together with other groups to figure out how to quickly get more housing on the ground,” Stallings said.
She also said they plan to unveil new shelter beds at its First Footing shelter in May.
