Hays County approves one-time 400% funding increase to social services organization

Southside Community Center is getting a $100,000 boost to support housing security in Hays County, following approval from Hays County Commissioners Court on March 24.

The one-time stipend is financed by the Tobacco Settlement Fund, distributed annually by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The fund will support Southside Community Center’s home stabilization program.

The overview

Southside Community Center fights housing insecurity through programs, according to the organization’s website, including:

• Transitional Shelter Program: Provides community members and families with temporary housing in the organization’s shelter for up to 60 days. Following the shelter period, residents will be assisted as they move into permanent housing.
• Emergency Assistance: A one-time program available to all Hays County residents providing assistance with rental and utility payments to those with bills generally under $500.
• Eviction Prevention: Limited to San Marcos residents, the program provides financial and case management support for one to three months.
• Sunrise Village: An affordable senior living community in San Marcos featuring single-story units designed to support resident independence.

Hays County Precinct 2 Commissioner Michelle Cohen showed support for the amendment, citing an increase in community need for the services provided by the organization and in the number of evictions.

“The population is higher, the economy is more difficult, and more people are reaching out to Southside [Community Center] because they are the hub for everyone who needs those kinds of services,” Cohen said.

Diving deeper

Commissioners raised questions about the organization’s sustainability moving forward. They emphasized that the $100,000 amendment is a one-time funding addition and will not set a new precedent for the organization’s budgeted annual funds from the county moving forward.

The original county contract with Southside Community Center provided $25,000 in funding. Additionally, the county committed $25,000 in American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds to the organization, bringing the total allocated funding to $150,000.

“The county is guilty of using Southside [Community Center] as the go-to whenever there's winter storms, ice storms, and when it's hot, they’re the cooling center,” Cohen said. “We should take some responsibility if we are using them as that hub. We should contribute to what they're doing.”