At the Dec. 4 Public Health Committee meeting, the City of Austin Homeless Strategy Office shared important updates regarding its homelessness services, including significant improvements in the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter (MYES) exit rate, and changes to the intake process for all City operated shelters. “I am incredibly proud of our team's remarkable efforts to improve the positive exit rate from the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter,” said David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer. “These significant improvements underscore our commitment and ability to help individuals transition from homelessness to stable housing. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that we have a pathway for the temporary shelter to remain open until we secure a permanent replacement, ensuring that no one in need is left without support during this critical time. Together, we are creating lasting change for our community and empowering individuals to move forward with hope and stability.” Improved Exit Rate from Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter
The City of Austin is pleased to report a substantial improvement in the exit rate from the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter. Over the past year, the successful exit rate each quarter has nearly doubled, increasing from less than 15% to almost 30%. A successful exit is a client leaving homeless shelter for permanent housing. Since opening, MYES has served 1,028 clients, with 184 achieving successful exits. City staff will work in the coming months to set formal target exit rates to continue improving on these outcomes. Extension of Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter Operations
On December 12, 2024, the Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) will seek approval from the City Council to amend its contract with Family Endeavors and extend the operation of MYES through the end of Fiscal Year 2025. The City has identified funding to keep the shelter open for the extended period, as part of an ongoing effort to address homelessness and expand shelter options in the city. New Intake Procedures for City Shelters
The City’s Homeless Strategy Office also announced a new, streamlined intake process for all City operated homeless shelters. This update is designed to improve coordination between City departments and community partners, and it simplifies access to shelter services. 

• Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter: Intake at MYES will continue to be prioritized for clients referred through City initiated efforts, such as high-priority encampment abatements and the closure of encampments in high-risk areas, including those near wildfire prone zones. All intake requests must be coordinated through a City department in collaboration with HSO. 
• Northbridge and Southbridge Shelter: The Northbridge and Southbridge Shelters, which have been converted from hotel properties into semi-congregate shelters, will remain in operation under the management of Family Endeavors and the Austin Area Urban League. Intake at both shelters will primarily be handled through the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative. 
• Austin Resource Center and Eighth Street Shelters: The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) an adult men’s shelter and the Eighth Street Shelter, which serves adult women and transgender clients, will continue to operate with referrals managed through a waitlist system. The waitlist will be overseen by HSO. Individuals seeking placement must contact the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center at 512-522-1097 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. HSO will close the waitlist once it reaches 200 clients, with plans to reopen the waitlist once it reaches 50 clients, as space becomes available.

 For more information on the updated City of Austin shelter intake process, please visit the HSO website at www.austintexas.gov/homelessness. The City of Austin remains dedicated to addressing homelessness with compassion and efficiency. These updates are part of the ongoing effort to improve shelter access, streamline services, and better serve those in need. To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness
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