The City of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) announces a new funding opportunity for homeless prevention services. Totaling $2.2 million, the funds can be used to provide rental assistance, financial assistance, and supportive services to households at risk of homelessness. The funding opportunity supports HSO’s mission to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring by helping individuals and families stabilize their housing situations before they experience homelessness. Eligible organizations may apply until May 20, 2025.

“Funding homeless prevention programs is one of the most effective, economical, and ethical investments we can make, because we are stopping homelessness before it starts,” said David Gray, City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Officer. “By stabilizing individuals and families while they are still housed, we are reducing the number of people relying on emergency shelters, sleeping in cars, waiting for temporary housing, or camping in public spaces. Also, we are creating better long-term outcomes by helping Austinites avoid the lasting instability and trauma that can result from homelessness.”

Homelessness prevention programs help households avoid homelessness through person-centered, supportive services. Those at risk of homelessness are provided with or connected to time-limited rental assistance, financial assistance, and services that can help resolve factors that have led to their housing insecurity. By addressing “upstream” factors, homelessness prevention efforts enable individuals and families to remain in their homes and find stability that can help propel them to greater independence.

Another benefit of homeless prevention programs is their cost-effectiveness. These programs reduce the need for more expensive emergency interventions, such as shelter stays or crisis services. By helping households regain self-sufficiency, these programs reduce the long-term societal costs associated with homelessness. Investing in homelessness prevention is a win-win: It promotes long-term stability for those most at risk and uses public resources more efficiently, making it a best practice for communities seeking sustainable solutions to housing insecurity. HSO may award up to three contracts, with the cumulative total not exceeding $2,212,508.

HSO anticipates that contracts will begin on August 1, 2025. Funding and contract terms are contingent upon Austin City Council approval and agreement over contract terms, including compliance and performance expectations.

Full eligibility requirements and application details are available through the City’s PartnerGrants database (https://partnergrants.austintexas.gov) or on the City’s website: RFA 2025-001 Homelessness Prevention.
To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness.