People who have experienced homelessness are experts in their own lives. Their insight is essential to building effective solutions, shaping strong policy, and creating a system that truly works. The Lived Expertise Advisory Board (LEAB) and Youth Action Board (YAB) ensure that those most impacted by homelessness help guide decisions, strategies, and system improvements across our community.
The LEAB is made up of adults with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability, with a strong emphasis on unsheltered homelessness. Members advise and inform the TX-500 Continuum of Care by elevating real-world experiences and identifying opportunities to strengthen the homeless response system for adults and families. Their work helps ensure the system is responsive, effective, and grounded in dignity and respect.
Chair: Valarie Narvaez
Co Chair: Molly Flores
Members:
The Youth Action Board (YAB) is made up of young people ages 17 to 25, most of whom have experienced homelessness. YAB members bring forward the perspectives of young people in San Antonio, helping shape policy, inform program design, and advocate for solutions that support safe, stable housing for youth and young adults.
Together, LEAB and YAB play a critical role in strengthening the system by ensuring decisions are informed by lived experience and grounded in what works in practice.
The Self-Care Expo is a wellness event led by BecauseYoga, CTH, and the LEAB designed for professionals working in the homelessness response sector and related fields. The expo creates a space for rest, connection, and renewal through wellness activities, resources, and community partners, recognizing that those who support others also need opportunities to recharge and care for themselves
Requirements:
Applicants for the Lived Expertise Advisory Board (LEAB) must:
• Be 26 years or older
• Have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability
• Reside in or regularly commute to the San Antonio/Bexar County region
Applicants for the Youth Action Board (YAB) must:
• Be between the ages of 17 and 25
• Have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability
• Reside in or regularly commute to the San Antonio/Bexar County region
If you’re interested in applying to the Lived Expertise Advisory Board or Youth Action Board, please complete the application here. For questions about either board or the application process, please contact Joshua Yates.
The Youth Action Board (YAB) and Lived Expertise Advisory Board (LEAB) are responsible for providing their personal perspective on homeless systems in San Antonio/Bexar County. As action-oriented groups, members are expected to engage directly in the work at hand, and each board fills a seat on the Close to Home Board of Directors. Both groups are made up of individuals who currently have or have had personal experience with housing insecurity and/or homelessness in or around San Antonio.
The Youth Action Board (YAB) and Lived Expertise Advisory Board (LEAB) are responsible for providing their personal perspective on homeless systems in San Antonio/Bexar County. As action-oriented groups, members are expected to engage directly in the work at hand, and each board fills a seat on the Close to Home Board of Directors. Both groups are made up of individuals who currently have or have had personal experience with housing insecurity and/or homelessness in or around San Antonio.
Take action today to help bring thousands of your neighbors closer to home.
The LEAB advises and informs the TX-500 Continuum of Care by representing the homeless community in San Antonio, and focusing on improvements of the current homeless response system for adults and families. The LEAB members aim to create a dignified and fair homeless response system for any of our community members who are at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.
