On a single night in January, 218 veterans in San Antonio stayed in emergency shelters, transitional housing or other temporary accommodations.
Another 19 were counted as sleeping in cars, abandoned buildings or other places not meant for human habitation.
Out of the 3,625 individuals recorded to be experiencing homelessness in the 2025 Point in Time count by Close to Home San Antonio and Bexar County, veterans made up about 6.5%.
One of the most vocal advocate groups on the need for more veteran housing is the Bexar County American GI Forum’s Miguel Hernandez Jr. Memorial Chapter — a congressionally chartered veterans organization founded to advance the rights of Latino service members and their families. This year, the group’s national conference returned to San Antonio with a focus on housing access.
As part of the gathering, local officials celebrated the launch of Valor Hill Apartments, a new affordable housing complex in the Medical Center area designed with veterans in mind.
The 118-unit complex was built through a partnership between the San Antonio Housing Trust and GoodHomes LLC, a New York-based developer that specializes in converting unused properties into housing. Formerly a senior living facility, the site now includes 82 apartments in a main two-story building and 36 units across three single-story cottages.
A furnished room at the Valor Hill Apartments is on display during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Credit: Diego Medel/San Antonio Report
Seventy-five percent of the units are income-restricted — with 25% reserved for individuals earning 50% or less of the area median income (AMI), approximately $31,000 annually for a one-person household, and another 50% for those earning up to 80% or $49,600 annually for a one-person household.
Of the 30 market-rate units, 20 are set aside specifically for veterans through HUD-VASH, a federal program that combines rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development with case management and clinical services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, veterans living in HUD-VASH units will receive on-site case management from the VA, and the nonprofit Endeavors will also provide additional services out of dedicated office space.
The Valor Hill ribbon cutting held Tuesday evening brought together local officials, developers and veterans to celebrate the project’s completion.
“In our community, Military City, USA, we’ve got to make sure that we understand firsthand the unique challenges that face our veterans and their family members,” San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said from the podium. “A project like this shows the commitment both from government as well as from private entities. It demonstrates our community’s continued commitment to serving those that bravely raised their right hand to protect and serve.”
Michael and Barbara Simpson cut the ribbon dedicating the community room at Valor Hill Apartments to their son, Staff Sgt. Michael Simpson. Credit: Diego Medel/San Antonio Report
The ribbon cutting also marked the official dedication of the complex’s community space in honor of Staff Sgt. Michael Simpson, a U.S. Army Special Forces member and San Antonio native who died in 2013 while serving in Afghanistan.
His father, Michael Simpson, spoke at the event, describing his son as “gregarious,” a soldier who embraced both his duty and his community. Simpson was injured by an improvised explosive device while scouting a safe return route for his team and succumbed to his injuries days later.
“Michael was known as the ‘unquiet professional,’” his father said. “Special Forces like to be known as the quiet professionals — he would introduce himself with, ‘Hi, I’m Mike, I’m a Green Beret.’ So a meeting room is an appropriate place to honor his name and his service.”
Tom Roth, director of development at the San Antonio Housing Trust, said the decision to name the clubhouse in Simpson’s honor came after hearing his story and connecting with the family.
“This past Memorial Day weekend, I was watching a tribute to different generations of fallen soldiers. This year, they did a tribute to Staff Sgt. Michael Simpson, a San Antonio native who served our country with honor and distinction,” Roth said. “I was so moved by Michael’s story that I asked Daniel, the developer at GoodHomes LLC, if there was a way we could honor Michael — and he did not hesitate.”
As residents prepare to move in this week, Lawrence Romo, vice commander of the Miguel Hernandez Jr. Memorial Chapter, said the organization was proud to see the effort come to life after years of advocacy.
“We were honored to … advocate for the Valor Hill Apartments project,” Romo said in a statement. “I testified on the need for more affordable veteran housing to give these veteran heroes a hand up. The location in the Medical Center area is optimal, with the Audie Murphy VA Medical Center nearby and accessible public transportation at the facility.
“We salute all the organizations that made this project happen. This is why San Antonio is Military City, USA.”