Homeless Assistance

The Homeless Services staff supports the City's Self-Sufficiency and Responsibility Initiative, a comprehensive approach that provides services to help homeless people get back on their feet.

The program uses a collaborative approach that builds on existing resources to address critical gaps in services, with the central principles of self-sufficiency and responsibility. The focus is on both homeless men and on the growing number of homeless families.

The City is implementing two major projects:

Austin Resource Center for the Homeless
The ARCH is a men's shelter and resource center in downtown Austin. It offers emergency shelter to 100 men and other services to meet basic needs of homeless individuals, including healthcare, showers, laundry facilities, phone and messaging centers, lockers, and food. It also has several co-located agencies providing case management, job placement services, and legal assistance.
Women and Children's Center
Operated by the Salvation Army, the Shelter for Women and Children provides emergency shelter to single adult women and to women and their dependents. Services include case management, job training, and GED and ESL classes.

Supportive Services