SAN ANTONIO – Two-hundred people searched for permanent housing at a Haven for Hope housing fair held Thursday afternoon at the nonprofit's downtown San Antonio location.
Those seeking new homes or apartments filled out applications in search of a place to call their own. Many said the path to get here hasn't been easy.
"We've been homeless for about a year and a half now. We've been under bridges," said John Brown and Amanda Vaquera, a couple who share nine children together.
"It's the worst feeling. You don't know how you got here," said Legalo Teofilo, an Army veteran.
They have different stories. Some suffered from drug addiction. Others suffered through financial hardship. Teofilo said that’s left him with his family on the streets and filled with fear.
"I'm not gonna get this housing. I'm not gonna be able to take care of my daughter. I'm not gonna be able to take care of my wife,” Teofilo said. “How am I gonna get a job? How are we gonna get out of here?”
Teofilo, a former military policeman, said Haven For Hope has been an amazing place with amazing people who've given extraordinary help to him and his family. They’ll be able to transition just in time for an important milestone.
"I want my daughter to take her first steps in our new home," Teofilo said.
Jalen Hogans smiled as he pointed to the layout on an apartment card.
"That's the one I'm getting," Hogans said.
Hogans said marijuana addiction brought him to homelessness. He said Christ brought him out of his addiction, and Haven for Hope is helping him get a set of keys to a place he can call his own.
"Blessing? Yes. Everybody's gonna be proud of me, like, ‘Dude, Jalen's all grown up,’” Hogans said.
For more information on Haven for Hope, visit their website.