Amarillo Housing First, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the homeless, is calling on the community for urgent assistance to keep its doors open. Known for its life-saving initiatives, the agency faces mounting operational costs as the demand for its services continues to grow.
Since opening its Code Blue warming stations in 2017, Amarillo Housing First has provided a safe haven for those facing harsh winter conditions. According to Executive Director Virginia Williams Trice, the number of people seeking shelter has increased significantly over the years.
“This year, when we opened the doors for the first time, we had over 100 people come in,” Williams Trice said. “Previous years on opening nights we would see 60 to 70 people tops. That was a pretty sharp increase there. We’re pretty packed in here at this point in time.”
Comprehensive Support for the Homeless
Beyond offering a place to escape the cold, Amarillo Housing First provides food, clothing, housing assistance, and help with retrieving identification for individuals without proper documentation. These services are vital for connecting people to resources that can transform their lives.
Williams Trice emphasized the importance of building trust with individuals who may initially hesitate to accept help.
“Just going out there and engaging with them, providing some supplies—that’s an opportunity for us to build rapport,” she said. “Even if they say no, we want to help get them connected to resources they may not realize they need at that time.”
Community Outreach and Need for Tips
The agency actively conducts outreach to locate and assist those in need. Williams Trice urged residents to share tips about individuals who could use assistance by texting 806-414-2243.
“We have folks who move around sometimes, but a lot of people stay in the same general area,” she explained. “Our outreach efforts are unique because many emergency shelters don’t have the capacity to send volunteers out to connect with people where they are.”
How to Help
Amarillo Housing First relies heavily on community donations to sustain its operations. Financial contributions are especially critical to cover essentials like rent, utilities, and insurance.
“It’s all been funded through community donations, from concerned citizens,” Williams Trice said. “Some churches and businesses have helped, but we still need monetary donations to keep the building open.”
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