The Center for Minority Veterans is the Department of Veterans Affairs model for inter-and intra-agency co-operation, to ensure all veterans receive equal service regardless of race, origin, religion, or gender. We are process improvement-oriented and both internal and external customer-centric. We assist VA in executing its mission in the most equitable, efficient and humane way possible. Dignity and an acceptable quality of life are the products we seek to deliver to ALL veterans no matter what their circumstance. We will grace our mission execution with gratitude to the men and women we now serve who in turn served our Nation so well.

The primary goal of this outreach initiative is to increase local awareness of minority Veteran related issues and develop strategies for increasing their participation in existing VA benefit programs for eligible Veterans.  Minority Veterans Program Coordinator’s are located at Regional Offices, Health Care Facilities and National Cemeteries and are responsible for:

• Promoting the use of VA benefits, programs, and services by minority Veterans.
• Supporting and initiating activities that educate and sensitize internal staff to the unique needs of minority Veterans.
• Targeting outreach efforts to minority Veterans through community networks.
• Advocating on behalf of minority Veterans by identifying gaps in services and make recommendations to improve service delivery within their facilities.
  There is a Minority Veteran Program Coordinator (MVPC) located in each state’s Regional Office, Health Care Facility and National Cemetery to educate and assist with your eligibility of benefits and services.

For more information on the Center for Minority Veterans, click here.

Calendar of events can be viewed here.

Click here to see our full directory.

Services listed include:

• Hotlines & Helplines
• Addiction & Recovery
• Children & Youth Services
• Family Crisis & Domestic Abuse
• Veterans & Military Services
• Food Banks
• Disability Services
• Senior Services
• Homeless, Housing, Rent & Bill Assistance
• Social Services
• Mental, Behavioral, Physical Health
• Historic Dance Halls 
• Transportation 
• Ministry / Religion

If you are eligible for our programs, TSAHC will provide you with a mortgage loan and funding to use for your down payment.

You can choose to receive the down payment assistance as a grant (which does not have to be repaid) or a deferred forgivable second lien loan (which only has to be repaid if you sell or refinance within three years).

If you’re eligible, you can essentially receive free money to help you buy a home.

The amount of your down payment depends on a few things, including your income, your loan type, the amount of TSAHC assistance that you choose, the cost of the home, and how much you want to borrow. 

The larger your down payment, the smaller your monthly mortgage payment will be. The smaller your down payment, the larger your monthly mortgage payment. 

Your lender will help you figure out which TSAHC assistance option to choose and how much you need to put down on your house.  

To qualify, you must have:

• A credit score of 620
• Meet certain income requirements
• Take the Eligibility Quiz

• For Prospective Homeowners
• For Homeowners

Are you ready to buy a home?

SAHC provides fixed-rate mortgage financing, down payment assistance grants and second liens, as well as mortgage credit certificates for teachers, police officers, corrections officers, fire fighters, EMS personnel, veterans and low and moderate-income households.

Our home buyer programs are open to first-time home buyers, as well as repeat home buyers and existing homeowners. 

How to get started:

Step 1: Take the eligibility quiz

Step 2: Apply with an approved lender

Step 3: Complete a home buyer education class

Step 4: Find a realtor

For more information, click here.

To view programs available in San Antonio, click here.

• For Prospective Homeowners
• For Homeowners

HCBS-AMH helps individuals: 

• Continue to recover from serious mental illness and substance use disorder.
• Manage their physical and mental well-being.
• Gain stable and safe housing.
• Take part in daily life activities to reach personal goals.
• Connect with community partners.
• Build self-confidence and independence.

The HCBS-AMH program provides:

• Daily help and support in your home, including buying household goods and helping to set up your house.
• Meals delivered to your home.
• Skills training so you can live on your own or get a job of your choice.
• Home improvements to help you be safe, healthy, and independent.
• Special equipment or supplies you need to help you be independent.
• Help getting around your community.

 Click here to learn more about the program

• 18 years of age or older
• Have a diagnosis of serious mental illness (SMI)
• Medicaid or Medicare Eligible 

Have experienced at least ONE of the following:

• Long-Term Hospitalization (indigent and Medicaid eligible population): three or more cumulative or consecutive years in an inpatient psychiatric hospital during the five years before enrollment; or
• Jail Diversion: (active Medicaid population only): two or more psychiatric crises and four or more discharges from correctional facilities during the three years before enrollment; or
• ED Diversion:  (active Medicaid population only): two or more psychiatric crises and fifteen or more total ED visits during the three years before enrollment

We accept Medicaid

Homeless Connections Hotline provides assistance for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

Services include, when available:

• diversion programs
• rental assistance
• security deposit assistance
• utility assistance
• housing voucher programs 

The Homeless Connections Hotline also serves as a HomeLink access point, San Antonio and Bexar County’s local Coordinated Entry System—a fair and equal, uniform, community-wide
approach to connect homeless or at-risk persons to housing resources. Click here to learn more.

This HomeLink connection point provides call-in assessments only.

Food, shower, and other resources for those experiencing street homelessness.

Click here for a list of homeless resources.

Homelink is San Antonio and Bexar County’s local Coordinated Entry System – a uniform, community-wide approach to connect persons who are literally homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness to housing resources.

For Help Call 210-207-1799 Or Visit An Access Point.

Click here for more information and the locations and other details of Homelink Access Points.

Please Note: SARAH does not provide direct assistance such as shelter, food resources, or case management. If you are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, please complete an assessment through one of the Homelink Access Points below (either in-person or by phone). If you are already on the Homelink waitlist for supportive housing, you can maintain your active status by contacting an Access Point.

Eligibility:

An individual or family household that is at risk(Behind on rent or utility payments), or homeless (lacks a fixed, regular, and
adequate nighttime residence, or is fleeing/attempting to flee
domestic violence).

After completing your Homelink enrollment, you must maintain your eligibility by participating in services and/or updating your current living situation with an Access Point, Network Partner, or Street Outreach every 30 days. Failure to update eligibility results in unenrollment. If your enrollment closes, you will not be eligible for housing referrals.

For ID recovery and other community resources, click here.

Free

If you are currently experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless, Homelink can help by assessing your situation and connecting you with the most appropriate housing resource.

Call-in assessments only.

After enrolling with Homelink, if your need is not met by an immediate referral, you must maintain your eligibility every 30 days. This will be explained further during your Homelink assessment.

Homes for Texas Heroes Program offers home loans and down payment assistance for teachers, police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel, corrections officers, and veterans. 

The Homes for Texas Heroes Program assists the following hero professions* with down payment assistance and fixed rate home loans. 

• Professional educators, which includes the following full-time positions in a public school district: school teachers, teacher aides, school librarians, school counselors, and school nurses
• Police officers and public security officers
• Firefighters and EMS personnel
• Veterans or active military
• Correction officers and juvenile corrections officers
• Nursing faculty and allied health faculty

More details on profession requirements can be found here.

To qualify, you must also have a credit score of 620, meet certain income requirements, and complete the Eligibility Quiz.

To view more information on this and other programs available, click here.

• For Prospective Homeowners

HousingBaseSanAntonio.com is a one-stop shop for affordable housing that allows you to quickly and easily search for properties that meet your specific situation. 

We exist to solve a huge problem plaguing America’s population, the accessibility of affordable housing. Low-income residents must compete with the high demand for a scarce supply of units, long waitlists, and meet specific income requirements. In addition, they have to hope the community has all the social service support their family needs.

Our mission is to help families find homes that not only fit their budgets but also provide the support services they need to thrive.

How Landlords Can Help End Veteran Homelessness

The VA needs landlords who are interested in housing Veterans.

Landlords have a unique opportunity to give back to those who have served. Veterans have selflessly defended our nation in times of need — and landlords can make a positive impact by protecting these individuals from the risk of homelessness. Housing Veterans doesn’t just provide shelter, but can lead to life-changing health, social, and socioeconomic outcomes for them and their families. Furthermore, housing Veterans provides a mutually beneficial relationship; landlords will benefit from responsible, often long-term, renters, support from VA, and guaranteed payments that come through Housing Choice Vouchers or grantees offering short-term subsidies.

Please note: VA does not make direct payments to landlords. Rental subsidy payments described here are disbursed from either homeless Veteran-specific Housing Choice Vouchers administered by local public housing authorities or through nonprofit organizations that administer VA-funded grants.

We urge all landlord to consider the information and strategies listed here and to contact us to connect with the local VA homeless coordinator in their area.

Benefits of Renting to Veterans
Reliable income: With HUD-VASH vouchers and SSVF subsidies, a portion of the rent is automatically paid on time to landlords by a public housing authority or an SSVF provider. A team supports the Veteran to provide stability, educates the Veteran on his or her tenancy requirements, and helps the Veteran meet the requirements of the lease, such as paying their portion of the rent on time. In addition, accepting housing vouchers or rental subsidies does not mean accepting less money. The combination of these payments along with the Veteran’s portion matches fair market rental prices, so landlords won’t see less money coming in.
Support from VA: Case management from VA support programs can connect landlords and Veterans with help they may need. Such a network of support creates a solid foundation for Veterans and is more likely to lead to successful and stable tenancy.
Serve those who have served: Landlords renting to Veterans can feel proud of their decision to house those who have answered our nation's call. Such a decision can be consequential in changing a Veteran's life.
Support community health outcomes: The pandemic reminds us that nearly all health is public, and our wellbeing is highly influenced by the health of our community. Veterans experiencing homelessness are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as developing other health conditions. By providing safe housing to Veterans and their families, landlords can help mitigate these risks, improve community health, and help our nation make progress in recovering from this national tragedy.

Find Tenants

• Reach out to a local VA medical center (VAMC): Each VAMC has staff who are dedicated to connecting Veterans with housing. Contact us let us know about your rental units.
• Contact a local housing authority: Many local housing authorities work closely with HUD-VASH programs and can assist in connecting landlords to both HUD-VASH and Veterans who are eager to rent. Most will have websites and contact information obtainable through a quick internet search. Find housing authorities nationwide by visiting this site.
• Advertise HUD-VASH and voucher acceptance in property listings: If a landlord is advertising a property, they should consider highlighting that they accept HUD-VASH and housing choice vouchers. While federal law does not require a landlord to accept these, some states prohibit refusing a tenant based on voucher payments.
• Consider shared living arrangements: The majority of Veterans experiencing homelessness are single males. Many single Veterans may be interested in shared living arrangements that can help cut down costs, especially in competitive markets. Consider leasing multiple bedrooms in a single-family home to multiple Veterans.

To obtain more information on this program, click here.

• For Landlords

The NRD is a database of validated resources that supports recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration for service members, veterans, family members, and caregivers

View the National Resource Directory here.

Additional Hotline Numbers

• DoD Safe Helpline: 1 (877) 995-5247
• Military Crisis Line: 988, press 1.
• Veteran Crisis Line: 988, press 1.
• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1 (877) 424-3838 (4AID.VET)
• Wounded Warrior Resource Center (Mos): 1 (800) 342-9647

Are you looking for affordable housing to be shared with one or more roommates? In partnership with Apartments.com, we have identified over 100 off-campus rental properties near Texas A&M-San Antonio that are suitable for students, staff, and faculty.

Click here to view rental properties.

A reverse mortgage, also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), is a type of loan that allows homeowners 62 and older to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free income.

It can provide flexibility for senior homeowners who need additional funds for retirement, but it’s a complicated and sometimes risky financial tool, which is why lenders require you to work with a qualified expert to make sure you fully understand the terms of your reverse mortgage.

The most common type of reverse mortgage is as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). HECM’s are government-sponsored reverse mortgages, insured by the FHA, and require counseling before you can take out the loan.

What is reverse mortgage counseling?
Reverse mortgage counseling is an opportunity to work one-on-one with a HUD-certified reverse mortgage counselor to review all the potential risks and benefits of a reverse mortgage and ensure you’re making an informed decision. 

How it Works
During your reverse mortgage counseling session, your counselor will work with you to help explain how reverse mortgages work, the financial and tax implications of taking out a reverse mortgage, payment options, and costs associated with a reverse mortgage. Your counselor will also highlight available resources that you may find useful in meeting your financial needs. Counselors are not lenders or financial advisors. Your counselor's goal will be to help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision.

Upon completion of the counseling session, you will be issued a certificate of participation. If you choose to proceed with the loan process your lender(us) will likely require you to obtain an HECM counseling certificate, which MMI is proud to offer upon completion of our sessions.

Reverse mortgage counseling can be beneficial to anyone trying to decide if a reverse mortgage is a good option, but it’s generally only recommended for homeowners who have already made that decision and need to fulfill the HECM counseling certificate requirement associated with their loan program. If you’re actively weighing options and not yet committed to using a reverse mortgage, consider starting with a free credit counseling session instead.

Reverse mortgages are wonderful financial tools for certain individuals; however, it’s a very complex financial decision. If you are considering a reverse mortgage the first step is to talk with a reverse mortgage counselor.

Will this be reported to the IRS?
We do not report any information to the IRS. Your counseling session is confidential and your participation will not be disclosed to any third party without your permission.

Submit an online request to connect with a trained housing counselor here.

Schedule your Reverse Mortgage Counseling Session by calling Monday-Friday CT 8:00 am-5:00 pm at 866-834-0428

You can also contact us if you have other information here.

Eligibility:

They are only available to homeowners aged 62 and older (spouses can be under 62 and have the option to maintain the loan after the primary borrower dies).

Your home must be your principal residence, meaning you live there the majority of the year.

You must either own your home outright or have a low mortgage balance. Owning your home outright means you do not have a mortgage on it anymore. If you have a mortgage balance, you must be able to pay it off when you close on the reverse mortgage. You can use your own funds or money from the reverse mortgage to pay off your existing mortgage balance.

You cannot owe any federal debt, such as federal income taxes or federal student loans. You may, however, use money from the reverse mortgage loan to pay off this debt.

You must have enough of your own money or agree to set aside part of the reverse mortgage funds at your loan closing to pay ongoing property charges, including taxes and insurance, as well as maintenance and repair costs.

Your home must be in good shape. If your house does not meet the required property standards, the lender will tell you what repairs need to be made before you can get a reverse mortgage loan.

To be considered for a reverse mortgage, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires that you participate in a counseling session with an approved nonprofit housing counseling agency. At completion of the session, the counselor will issue you a certificate that must be provided to the lender you choose to work with.

The borrower must be present during both required sessions, unless they have previously appointed someone to serve as their Attorney in Fact via a Power of Attorney. With the borrower’s permission, a family member or friend may attend the session with the borrower but may not speak on their behalf. All borrowers must be present and participate in the reverse mortgage discussion.

If you’re actively weighing options and not yet committed to using a reverse mortgage, consider starting with a free credit counseling session instead.

There is a fee of $199 to complete reverse mortgage counseling and receive your required HECM counseling certification. That fee is collected at the beginning of your counseling.

You'll be provided with a packet that includes information on the costs and benefits of doing a Reverse Mortgage.

For very low-income Veterans, SSVF provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a Veteran's home or identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family; or to rapidly re-house Veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without this assistance.

Section 604 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008, Public Law 110-387, authorized VA to develop the SSVF Program. Supportive services grants have been awarded to selected private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that will assist very low-income Veteran families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing. Grantees will provide a range of supportive services to eligible Veteran families that are designed to promote housing stability.

To view more information or to find SSVF Providers in your area, click here.

To become a participant household under the SSVF Program, the following conditions must be met:

• A member of a Veteran Family.
• Be considered Low Income. Household income must not exceed 80% of the area median income.
• Occupying Permanent Housing. Must meet one of the following categories:

Category 1- Is residing in permanent housing and at risk of becoming literally homeless but for grantee’s assistance;

Category 2- Is literally homeless, and at risk to remain in this situation but for grantee’s assistance, and scheduled to become a resident of permanent housing within 90 days pending the location or development of housing suitable for permanent housing; or

Category 3-Is literally homeless after exiting permanent housing within the previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to the very low-income Veteran family’s needs and preferences.

To view more detailed information on eligibility, click here.

For additional resources, please call the Homeless Veteran's Helpline at (877) 424-3838.

These resources are largely national. Please call the Hotline for support finding local resources. We source trans-verified, trans-led, and BIPOC-led or centered resources where possible.

Have a resource suggestion? Let us know.

Click here for a full list of resources, or to search by category.

Resources include:

• Aging
• Anti-Racism & Not Relying on the Police
• Coming Out
• Community-Based Crisis Support
• Criminal Justice Support
• Domestic Violence
• En Espanol
• Global Nongovernmental Organizations (NGO’s)
• Health Care & Wellness
• ID Change Library
• Immigration, Detention, Undocumented Support
• Intersex
• Legal Transition
• Mental Health & Community Wellness
• Non-binary & Genderqueer
• Other Hotlines & Warmlines
• Self-Care & Emotional Support
• Shelter & Housing
• Support Groups & Trans Community
• Supporting a Trans Loved One
• Trans Fem, Trans Women, Femmes
• Trans Masculine, Trans Guys, Masc of Center
• Veterans
• and much more!

You need someone to talk to...

Feeling alone and unheard can potentially place you in a dangerous situation. You may feel isolated from support, and this isolation can lead to depression, anger, frustration, and suicidal ideation.

WE UNDERSTAND

Your situation is difficult and you may be feeling a wide range of emotions. We’re here to help you sort them out and make a plan.

We’re here 24/7. There is always someone available to listen and offer confidential, non-directive, and non-judgemental support.

We’re trained to help. Each team member is prepared to listen to your story, help you handle a crisis, and guide you to solutions that will improve your situation.

Click here to contact

Free