In a compassionate effort to support individuals experiencing homelessness, the City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) and its partners successfully transitioned over 100 unhoused residents to housing just in time for the holidays. The homeless outreach effort primarily focused on encampments in the St. Johns and Riverside Meadows areas. The Northbridge and Southbridge Shelters welcomed 50 unhoused residents as part of the Housing-focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative, and 55 individuals were offered safe accommodations at the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter through various street outreach engagements.

“I am proud of our dedicated staff and partners’ efforts to bring over 100 individuals experiencing homelessness indoors as we approach the holiday season,” said David Gray, City of Austin Homeless Strategy Officer. “Providing shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, especially before the holidays, is a critical step in ensuring that everyone has a safe and warm place to call home during this season. This effort reflects our commitment to offer not just temporary relief, but long-term resources so our most vulnerable neighbors can find stability and rebuild their lives. This is just one step in our ongoing mission to end homelessness in Austin, and we look forward to bringing more people indoors in the new year.”

The HEAL Initiative continues to be an essential part of the City’s ongoing efforts to end homelessness and provide stability and care to Austin’s most vulnerable residents. Since its launch in June 2021, the HEAL Initiative successfully moved more than 960 individuals from high-risk encampments to the City’s Northbridge and Southbridge shelters. The closure of the encampments at the St. Johns and Riverside Meadows areas is part of the City’s broader strategy to address homelessness while returning public spaces to their intended use.

Since its opening in August 2023, the Marshalling Yard has served more than 1,000 clients and successfully connected nearly 200 with stable housing. More than 189,000 meals have been served at the shelter, and 40 pets have been accommodated at Marshalling Yard’s on-site animal boarding center. Additionally, Marshalling Yard clients continue to receive help with securing vital records, accessing jobs and workforce development programs, and obtaining healthcare and wellness services.

The success of this street outreach mobilization was a collaborative effort, with the Homeless Strategy Office working alongside the Austin Watershed Protection Department, Austin Transportation and Public Works, Austin Police Department, the Austin Area Urban League, Endeavors, Queertopia, Urban Alchemy and other community partners.
 To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness
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