Hays County Approves $125K for Southside Community Center as Housing Insecurity Rises

The funding will support the organization's Housing Stability Program to help residents remain housed or transition away from homelessness.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:05pm

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Hays County has approved $125,000 in funding to support the Southside Community Center, a local organization that provides food, shelter, and resources to residents experiencing housing insecurity. The funding includes $100,000 from the county's Tobacco Settlement Fund and an additional $25,000 from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The investment is intended to strengthen services for vulnerable families across Hays County as housing challenges continue to impact the region.

Why it matters

The Southside Community Center has seen a 25% increase in demand for its services over the past year, with the organization serving nearly 20,000 meals in 2023. The additional funding will help the center's Housing Stability Program, which provides emergency assistance for rent and utilities, eviction prevention services, and transitional housing support to help residents remain housed or transition away from homelessness.

The details

The Southside Community Center offers daily, year-round services including dinners, breakfast six days a week, showers, laundry access, and mail services. The funding approved by the Hays County Commissioners Court will primarily support the organization's Housing Stability Program, which helps residents remain housed or transition away from homelessness.

  • The Hays County Commissioners Court approved the $125,000 in funding on March 26, 2026.
  • The Southside Community Center served about 16,000 meals in 2022 and is on track to serve nearly 20,000 meals in 2023.

The players

Southside Community Center

A local organization that provides food, shelter, and resources to residents experiencing housing insecurity in Hays County, Texas.

Jessica Cain

The Director of Neighborhood Engagement at the Southside Community Center.

Hays County Commissioners Court

The governing body of Hays County, Texas, which approved the $125,000 in funding for the Southside Community Center.

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What they’re saying

“We've seen about a 25% increase over the course of the last year in people coming for meals, showers and other daily services. We served about 16,000 meals last year and are on track to serve nearly 20,000 this year.”

— Jessica Cain, Director of Neighborhood Engagement

What’s next

The funding will be used to support the Southside Community Center's Housing Stability Program, which includes emergency assistance for rent and utilities, eviction prevention services, and transitional housing support.

The takeaway

The additional funding for the Southside Community Center highlights the growing need for housing assistance and social services in Hays County as the region continues to grapple with housing insecurity and homelessness. The investment in the center's programs aims to help vulnerable families remain housed or transition away from homelessness.