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Tag Archives: homelessness

Public Health Committee weighs Marshalling Yard complaints, McKinsey homelessness study

Members of Vocal-TX, a grassroots organization that represents low-income people directly impacted by homelessness, and other Austin residents raised concerns about City Council’s handling of homelessness at the Public Health Committee meeting on Wednesday. Their concerns centered on Marshalling Yard,…

Travis County bush

Travis County turns down partnership with Austin to address homelessness

On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court rejected a proposal to form an interlocal agreement with the city of Austin. The agreement would have put $400,000 toward a $2 million strategic analysis of local efforts to address homelessness. Commissioners chiefly…

DAA, Urban Alchemy partner to improve outreach, services for downtown homeless population

Downtown Austin Alliance hopes its new pilot program will help to provide more services and housing opportunities to the homeless people clustered throughout the city’s central business district. On Thursday, the DAA announced its Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART),…

City seeks McKinsey's $2M analysis of programs to address homelessness

Consulting giant McKinsey & Company could take up another study of the city, specifically how four local bodies including Central Health are working to address homelessness throughout the Austin area. At its meeting today, City Council will consider two items…

Cap Metro finalizes free fare program for riders experiencing homelessness

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously on Monday to approve a free two-year smart transit pass for eligible unhoused or housing-insecure customers. “This is a win-win overall,” Board Member Eric Stratton said during a related public…

Austin throws $2.6 million more into project converting hotel into housing for elderly people without homes

Lee esta historia en español More money is being poured into a former North Austin hotel that will be converted into housing for elderly people who are exiting homelessness. City Council on Thursday authorized an additional $2.6 million for continued…

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City splits homeless services into new, separate office

The city has created a dedicated office for homelessness services, in a move intended to let city staff address that area more quickly and decisively. Interim City Manager Jesús Garza informed City Council of the change in a memo released…

Council approves $15M purchase of the Salvation Army shelter property

The former Salvation Army Downtown Shelter will continue to serve people without homes for years to come, following City Council’s decision to purchase the property for $15 million. The purchase includes the 130-bed shelter on Eighth Street and a retail…

The city says shelter is coming for homeless Austinites. Nonprofits would like a word.

Lee esta historia en español For years, Austin didn’t focus on finding shelter for people living outdoors. Instead, the city prioritized longer-term solutions, like getting people into apartments. That philosophy at City Hall has changed. Under Mayor Kirk Watson, the…

Council delays decision on new hotel tax that could fund homelessness services

City Council has put on hold a long-discussed partnership with local hotels that could generate millions of dollars in General Fund revenue to cover expenses related to services for the homeless. At last week’s meeting, Council voted to delay action…

front of City Hall

Garza announces more changes at City Hall

A new memo outlines yet another shake-up at the city courtesy of interim City Manager Jesús Garza. City Council reappointed Garza interim city manager in February, following a vote that fired City Manager Spencer Cronk from the position. Since then,…

Dianna Grey, Austin’s strategy officer for homelessness, has resigned

Dianna Grey, who has served as Austin’s strategy officer for homelessness since the beginning of 2021, has resigned. Interim City Manager Jesús Garza said in an emailed statement, “Dianna will certainly be missed, and I am sorry to see her…

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