The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office has been recognized with a Community Equity and Inclusion Award from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for its development and launch of the Eighth Street Women’s Shelter, an innovative, gender-responsive shelter that addresses the needs of women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness.

Opened in December 2023, the shelter was created in response to local data showing that 40% of Austin’s unhoused population identified as women or gender-diverse. Despite this, the local shelter system lacked sufficient access to safe and inclusive shelter options. By acquiring and redeveloping The Salvation Army’s former Downtown Center, the City of Austin preserved a vital community resource and transformed it into a modern, trauma informed shelter designed to promote safety, dignity, and stability.

“The Eighth Street Shelter is more than just a facility, it’s a reflection of our commitment to inclusive, equity driven public service,” said David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer. “We’re honored to receive this award, but more importantly, we’re proud to fill this critical gap and serve in a community that believes everyone deserves safety, support, and stability.”

The Eighth Street Women’s Shelter offers over 160 beds through a combination of emergency and longer term private and semi-private rooms. Key features of the shelter include:

• Comprehensive Support Services: Including case management, mental health care, housing navigation, job training, and referrals for substance use treatment.
• Trauma-Informed Care: All staff are trained to deliver services that prioritize emotional and physical safety.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: The shelter was intentionally designed to support transgender and nonbinary individuals, helping close long-standing service gaps.
• Strong Partnerships: The City works closely with local nonprofits, advocacy groups, and healthcare providers to operate the shelter collaboratively.

In its first year of operation, the shelter served roughly 500 women and gender-diverse individuals. Nearly 100 secured permanent housing through on-site services and support, while many others made progress toward stability—obtaining identification, connecting to health care, engaging in case management, or moving into other housing programs.

The ICMA Community Equity and Inclusion Award recognizes government projects that demonstrate measurable impact in reducing disparities, promoting inclusion, and advancing racial and social equity. The City of Austin’s shelter project is now being regarded as a model for cities across the country seeking to redesign homelessness response systems with equity at the core. 

For more information about the shelters in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness.