Data shows health issues increase among San Antonio's homeless

August 23, 2026 - 00:35

New data from Bexar County shows that mental illness and chronic physical conditions are now more common among people experiencing homelessness than they were in 2021. The findings come from the county's annual point-in-time count, which surveys individuals living in shelters, on the streets, and in temporary housing.

The report indicates that roughly 38 percent of the homeless population reported a serious mental health condition, up from 31 percent three years ago. Substance use disorders also rose, with about 29 percent saying they struggled with drug or alcohol addiction, compared to 24 percent previously. Physical health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and mobility issues, increased from 22 percent to 27 percent.

Local health officials point to several factors behind the shift. The lingering effects of the pandemic disrupted access to routine care and mental health services. At the same time, rising rents and inflation have pushed more people with preexisting conditions onto the streets. Many of these individuals were already living on the edge, and a single medical bill or lost job tipped them over.

The data also shows that the overall homeless count in Bexar County grew by about 12 percent since 2021, now exceeding 3,200 people on any given night. Advocates say the increase in health problems makes it harder for people to escape homelessness, since untreated conditions often prevent them from holding down a job or qualifying for stable housing.

City and county leaders are now discussing expanding mobile health clinics and adding more permanent supportive housing units that include on-site counseling. But they acknowledge that funding remains tight, and the need is growing faster than the response. For now, shelters report longer waitlists for beds, and emergency rooms see more homeless patients with advanced stages of illness.