Feature Photo: The future home of the Next Step Community Resource Center, a planned homeless shelter and support network. Image: Google Streets.
Posted: 12-13-2021
by Adolfo Pesquera
New Braunfels (Comal County) — A recently formed organization is planning a $1 million renovation of a county building to house its operations by the spring of 2023.
NB Housing Partners is leading the effort to create a home for the Next Step Community Resource Center.
On Friday, Dec. 11, NB Housing Partners registered a project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for what is estimated to be a $1,090,000 remodel of the Seniors Center of Comal County, 655 Landa Street.
According to their report, the scope of work consists of interior renovations and space alterations to create a community resource center with a homeless shelter, mental health clinic, commercial kitchen, chapel and a dining hall.
The Next Step resource center will have an area of 15,400 square feet. The building was originally constructed in 1973 and has an area of 18,784 square feet, according to the county appraisal district.
As of the Dec. 11 report, no architect had yet been hired to redesign the facility.
According to a Community Impact report, the concept for the Next Step Community Resource Center was the result of a September agreement between NB Housing Partners, the Crisis Center of Comal County, and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Center (MHDD).
Last month, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission provided grant funding to help create the resource center. The program is to receive $1.7 million annually over the next seven years.
NB Housing Partners anticipates the construction could begin by April 1, 2022 and conclude by April 1, 2023.
