The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategies and Operations (HSO) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to partner with organizations that will provide low-barrier, stabilizing, and housing-focused emergency shelter services for individuals and households experiencing homelessness. The selected contractor will operate and manage services at the City-owned Southbridge Shelter, a 145-bed semi-congregate facility designed to support people on their path toward stable housing.
The goal of this new contract is to deliver comprehensive emergency shelter operations that prioritize safety, dignity, and housing outcomes. The contract is anticipated to begin on February 27, 2026, with funding of $4,004,900 available through the City of Austin General Fund.
Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) currently operates the shelter and will continue operating it through the end of March 2026. The anticipated start date is intended to give the new operator a transition period with AAUL. AAUL is shifting their focus to permanent housing.
“Bridge shelters continue to be a critical part of our homelessness response system,” said City of Austin’s Director of Homeless Strategies and Operations, David Gray. “They provide not just a safe place to stay, but also meaningful connections to housing and services that help people rebuild their lives. Through this partnership, we aim to create a supportive environment that promotes stability and accelerates pathways to permanent housing.”
The Southbridge Shelter provides semi-congregate accommodations, combining shared and individual spaces that foster both community and personal safety. The facility’s operations will emphasize trauma-informed care, equity-driven practices, and housing-focused case management, ensuring guests receive the support necessary to transition successfully out of homelessness.
HSO continues to strengthen Austin’s Homelessness Response System (HRS) by investing in shelter models that reduce barriers to entry and promote housing and long-term stability. The provider selected through this solicitation will play an essential role in demonstrating how coordinated shelter and social service delivery can effectively stabilize individuals and households experiencing homelessness.
The performance of the awarded program will be evaluated throughout the contract term, measuring outcomes such as housing placements, service accessibility, and cost efficiency to inform future shelter operations and system improvements.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on November 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Interested organizations are strongly encouraged to attend. Proposals must be submitted through the City of Austin’s Finance Online by 2 p.m. on December 4, 2025. Full eligibility requirements, pre-bid meeting link and application details are available at Austin Finance Online.
To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness.