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Austin's Homeless Strategy
Our neighbors may find themselves homeless for many reasons. An unexpected medical bill, escaping physical abuse, alcohol or drug addiction; or a combination of these situations. Some may have struggled for much of their lives. Others may have been doing fine until, suddenly, they weren’t. There’s no easy explanation and everyone’s story will be different. In Austin, we believe the necessities of life must be affordable and accessible to all. Whatever led someone to live on the streets, we’ll do what we can to help them back on their feet.
We do this because it’s the right thing to do; there’s a moral imperative to address this issue. We do it because we know Austin can’t become the most livable City in the country if some of our citizens are abandoned when they need help the most. And we do it because a united City where everyone can thrive is better – for everyone. A united city is better than a divided City where the less fortunate are ignored, stigmatized, or criminalized.
This is Donna. She is a person experiencing homelessness.
We asked Donna, "What do you want people to know about you?"
Listen to what she had to say.
The City of Austin partners with the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), the Austin/Travis County lead agency which plans and implements community-wide strategies to end homelessness. The Austin City Council endorsed ECHO’s Action Plan to End Homelessness in April of 2018. The Action Plan aligns the City, County, Federal Government, ECHO, the private sector, the philanthropic community and many local homeless service providers. These agencies are all working together to implement a comprehensive plan.
Like never before, the system is working together by combining its resources and efforts in a targeted fashion to achieve transformational results. At the crux of our plan is the “Housing First” strategy, which breaks the cycle of homelessness by providing permanent housing with an array of tailored supportive services. It is the national model for successfully housing the most vulnerable and difficult to house homeless individuals.
The Housing First strategy is how our community effectively ended veterans homelessness in 2016. We are working on implementing that for all individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.
We are working as fast as we can on the long-term solutions to get people experiencing a housing crisis off the streets and into housing with needed supportive services. While developing such housing and funding for services takes time, as housing and needed services become available, we are actively getting people experiencing homelessness off the streets, as quickly as possible.
How is the City of Austin Helping?
A home is the fundamental answer to ending homelessness. Work happens every day that prevents and ends homelessness.
Guided Path
Learn more about the Guided Path Pilot Program
How can I help?
1. Help out in emergencies.
Call 911 if you see someone in need of medical attention, especially during extreme weather. For mental health issues, call the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team at (512) 472-4357. When calling, provide accurate information. If possible, remain with the person to monitor or assist them until help arrives.
2. Provide information
If you know someone experiencing homelessness or if you are a person experiencing homelessness, access to available resources and appropriate housing options is available by visiting one of these two locations:
Walk-in Assessments are available at the following locations:
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Goodwill of Central Texas
1015 Norwood Park Blvd
Monday-Thursday from 9am-4pm
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The Southeast Health and Wellness Clinic
2901 Montopolis Dr.
Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm.
If you cannot access the walk-in centers, you can visit this ECHO Experiencing Homelessness page to learn more about and connect with the ECHO Coordinated Entry team.
You can also learn more about services offered by the City of Austin and Austin-based organizations on this web page.
3. Take an interest and show kindness.
Don’t treat someone as a “homeless person,” but as a person experiencing homelessness.
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Taking even a few minutes of your time to have a human interaction can help give a sense of normalcy to their day.
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See the person. Make eye contact. Say hello.
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If you have more time, have a conversation. Listen.
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Educate yourself with practical information so you can give directions to local shelters or call 211 for resources.
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Invite them to have a cup of coffee, or attend a community event.
4. Learn, donate, volunteer, and advocate.
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Be informed. Follow local, state, and national issues related to homelessness.
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Do your research. Learn about local agencies that work with people experiencing homelessness and spread the word to friends and family.
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Donate to agencies that serve people experiencing homelessness.
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Donate your belongings in a responsible way.
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Advocate. Go to your neighborhood association and provide a compassionate and informed voice for the homeless.
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Donate to the lead agency that plans and implements community-wide strategies to end homelessness in Austin and Travis County - Donate to ECHO.
5. Give small gifts.
Small, practical gifts can help someone get through their day.
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A cup of coffee or bottle of water
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Toiletry kits, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes
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Bus passes and grocery store gift cards
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Sandwich bags
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Sunscreen
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Headphones
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Socks
For those with pets, you can give dog food and bottled water.
Large gifts such as mattresses and furniture are not helpful and can pose a public health concern. Dropping off large items in public spaces is considered illegal dumping.
6. Connect people to services.
When you witness people experiencing homelessness, you can also direct them to services offered by the City of Austin and Austin-based organizations.
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