Item 4 - Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations Staff Presentation — original pdf

Backup

Departmental Overview Public Safety Commission David Gray, Director Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations February 2, 2026 AHSO Vision Everyone has access to stable housing and the support they need to thrive. 2 AHSO Strategic Pillars System Leadership Impactful Community Investments Crisis Response System Management Communications Investing in Our People 3 Cold Weather Shelter Operations Cold Weather Shelter Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) is a life-saving resource for anyone on Austin’s coldest nights. ASHO monitors weather conditions frequently and activates CWS when overnight temperatures at the National Weather Service’s Camp Mabry location are forecasted to reach 35 degrees or below. AHSO makes an activation determination up to one day in advance of the shelter availability and no later than 9 a.m. of the day when shelter could be available. Registration for shelter occurs between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road. This location will act as the central embarkation point for individuals seeking overnight shelter. Snacks, coffee, and other critical resources are provided during the embarkation. Meals are provided at cold weather shelters. Families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking shelter during activation periods will be provided hotel lodging. 5 Cold Weather Shelter Guests can bring their belongings if they can transport them to the OTC and onto a CapMetro Bus. Pets are allowed if they are not aggressive, can be around others, on a leash, and can sleep with their owners. If a pet needs a crate for the evening at the shelter, guests should inform staff at the OTC when registering. Couples can be at the same shelter, but there are separate sleeping areas for women and men. The City does not list the locations of overnight CWS for various reasons, including managing capacity limits and privacy concerns 6 Life-Saving Recount: January 2026 Winter Event During the January 2026 Winter Event, a man was transported to One Texas Center. He was literally almost frozen solid, one shoe off, sock fully wet, and could barely move or speak. HSO and DACC staff took off his wet socks, cleaned his feet, put on clean socks, and gave him a blanket and comfort. After about 10 minutes, he said, “Look! I can move my arms.” After more conversation, HSO and DACC staff convinced the man to let EMS take him to the hospital for further evaluation. That man would not have survived without HSO and DACC staff care and help. 7 South Austin Housing Navigation Center What is Housing Navigation Housing navigation is a collaborative process that helps individuals and families identify opportunities to sustain or obtain safe and stable housing. Navigation Centers enable people to connect to complex, fragmented systems of care. Navigation Centers are not shelter, but they do facilitate client access to crisis shelter. Demand for housing navigation services exceeded the capacity of privately funded faith-based organizations that lack any form of government support. The City Council approved the purchase of property located at 2401 S I-35 Frontage Road, 78741, to distribute demand geographically, meet the acute need for publicly funded navigation services, and to provide appropriate technical assistance and protections to advance community interests. 9 Existing Brick & Mortar Navigation Access Points Name Organization Type Location Building Type Religious Protections Navigation Service Funding City Operational Influence Austin Community Court Government Central Trinity Center Faith-Based Downtown Government office tower. Indoor services. Church office space. Sunrise Navigation Center Faith-Based South Church courtyard and office space. Charlie Center Faith-Based Northwest Church office space. None. Public 100% Yes. Federal RLUIPA, State Freedom to Worship. Yes. Federal RLUIPA, State Freedom to Worship. Yes. Federal RLUIPA, State Freedom to Worship. Private None Private None Private None 10 Center Advisory Board and Project Timeline The Advisory Board will consist of 13 members, representing a balance between local community stakeholders and those with direct experience in or connected to homelessness and housing services. The board is anticipated to start work February 2026. • 5 Seats will be reserved for representatives from nearby neighborhoods (South River City, East Riverside Oltorf, Greenbriar), businesses, and school communities. • 3 Seats will be filled by individuals who previously experienced homelessness, ideally with involvement in peer support, advocacy, or community engagement. • 4 Seats are reserved for representatives from organizations providing direct services or housing support to people experiencing homelessness. • 1 Seat will be filled by a representative from a faith-based or civic organization with experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. 11 Thank You! We recognize that teamwork makes the dream work, and we are grateful for our community’s support! 12