The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) announces the launch of Open Now, a new real-time digital platform designed to help individuals experiencing homelessness—and the organizations that support them—quickly access essential resources. The platform provides interactive, up-to-date information on the availability and locations of resources including daytime cooling centers, water fountains, hygiene amenities, physical and mental healthcare centers, substance use recovery, and nutrition support. Users can also get real-time directions to these resources, helping them navigate to what they need as efficiently as possible.

Developed by HSO in collaboration with the City’s Information Systems Department and key community partners, Open Now (www.austintexas.gov/opennow) aims to improve access to essential services when timing and availability are crucial.

“We launched Open Now with the goal of empowering our most vulnerable neighbors to more easily find and access essential services that support both their immediate needs and long-term stability,” said David Gray, the City’s Homeless Strategy Officer. “This tool is a living, real-time resource that will continue to grow and improve with input from the community and feedback from users. Whether someone is in urgent need of a cooling center during extreme heat, a location offering safe drinking water, or access to other critical support services, Open Now is built to bridge the gap between people and the help they need—right when and where they need it.” 

The interactive platform features: 

• Location-based visibility of curated resources access points.
• Filters to help users quickly meet their immediate needs for water, healthcare, food, and hygiene.
• Hours of operation and contact information for key homeless service providers.
• Language access by Google Translate.
• Navigation handoff to Google Maps with turn-by-turn directions for pedestrians, Capital Metro riders, bicyclists, and drivers. 

The platform is fully designed for both mobile and desktop use, ensuring accessibility for individuals who are unsheltered, service providers, and first responders. Open Now allows community members to better understand what resources are available in their neighborhoods.

“Open Now is the outcome of hearing the pleas of unhoused Austinites,” said Charles Loosen, HSO Engagement Consultant. "HSO has translated a chorus of ideas into an innovative solution that supports day-to-day survival by helping unhoused residents find real, practical support—right when they need it. It’s all about making critical resources easier to find and easier to get to, especially in the moment when someone needs them most.” 

Development was inspired through deep engagement with utilizers of Austin’s homeless response system, and informed by New York City’s Cool Options directory, local nutrition providers like Free Lunch ATX, the Austin Homeless Advisory Council, and emerging federal crisis intervention priorities. Open Now is powered by Esri, a technology leader in geographic information systems (GIS). 

As part of a broader strategy to reduce homelessness in Austin, Open Now will continue to evolve with input from the public and stakeholders. The City is committed to improving access to services, expanding shelter capacity, and strengthening partnerships across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Public Feedback: 

HSO encourages community members to provide feedback on their experience with Open Now. HSO is actively seeking input to refine the platform, ensuring it serves the needs of our community. To provide feedback visit www.austintexas.gov/opennow and click on the ‘Submit a Missing Resource or Report a Problem’ link.

To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness.