Salvation Army downtown shelter to remain open until April 30

The Salvation Army committed on Friday to maintaining operations at its downtown shelter through the end of April. The nonprofit announced on March 2 that it intended to close the facility, but its area management faced tough questions with regard to its plan for relocating its remaining clients at City Council’s Public Health Committee meeting on March 8. In a press release, the nonprofit said it will continue to “safely exit clients” until April 30. “Despite reports to the contrary, the Salvation Army has always been committed to the safe exit of their downtown shelter brothers and sisters,” the statement reads. In a separate Friday press release, the city of Austin announced it would spend up to $100,000 to facilitate this extension.