Resident Services

Our Resident Services Program consists of several initiatives. All Resident Services initiatives are united in the overall goals of improving the quality of life for public housing residents, reducing dependence on the welfare system, and empowering our residents to take charge of their lives and of their environment. The Housing Authority provides decent, safe, and sanitary housing for about 555 low-income families and individuals including elderly and disabled. The SMHA Resident Services Program provides the following initiatives:

The Elderly Services Initiative

• Helping elderly and disabled individuals receive free prescription drugs, transportation to medical appointments, coordination of in home services, and exercise activities.
• Coordinating with the San Marcos Area Food Bank to deliver life sustaining food to elderly and disabled residents in Public Housing
• Referring to other resources, including the Allen Woods Nutrition Center (Dining Room and Meals-on-Wheels) operated by Combined Community Action and specializing in services to the elderly
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The Crime & Drug Prevention Initiative

• Supporting the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program through the San Marcos Police Department
• Running the Kids Against Drugs (KAD) program which is an after-school and summer-time drug prevention program for children
• Training opportunities for social work and other students from Texas State University
• Operating Teen Groups to help teenagers develop themselves and give back to the community
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The Family Self-Sufficiency Initiative

• Offering participants the tools needed to achieve self-sufficiency
• Moving residents into home ownership by repairing credit and offering down payment assistance
• Dedicating the Chapultepec Homes site to this program, giving participants lots of peer support
• Case management and other direct assistance
• Developing entrepreneurship by creating resident owned childcare centers in Public Housing units
• Meeting transportation needs for participants when existing resources in the community fail
• Holding monthly classes on various topics to help our residents achieve self-sufficiency
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Organization of Resident Assemblies

• Support to residents efforts to organize at each site and an overall Resident Council
• Operating a Thrift Store with Mission San Marcos and the residents of Allen Woods Homes
• Offering community service opportunities for students, public housing residents, and church congregations
• Giving the Good Neighbor award to residents that demonstrate a desire to better their community
• Creating an emergency fund designed to help families when no other community resources are available
• Coordinating with local agencies and supervising various volunteer programs which serve all residents
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For more information on any of our services contact: Stewart Dale Spencer  (512) 396-3364