The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) is partnering with Urban Alchemy, operator of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH), to offer daytime cooling for unhoused residents throughout the summer. Located downtown at 500 East 7th St., the ARCH cooling center will remain open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The ARCH will serve as a critical respite for individuals who may not have access to air conditioning, and pets are welcomed. In addition to daytime cooling, all patrons will have access to drinking water, phone charging, and restrooms. On days when an excessive heat warning is issued by the National Weather Service, CapMetro will waive the fare for patrons seeking transport to a cooling center for those without means to pay the fare provided they indicate to the operator they would like to go to a cooling center.
“Extreme heat can be dangerous—even deadly—for people without reliable access to shelter,” said David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer for the City of Austin. “By opening the ARCH as a dedicated cooling center downtown, we are providing a safe, welcoming space for people to get relief from the heat. This is about protecting health, preserving dignity, and saving lives during Austin’s hottest months.”
Prolonged exposure to summer heat poses a serious health risk to those who are living unsheltered in our community. The Homeless Strategy Office is collaborating with numerous outreach teams and social service providers to emphasize the importance of heat safety and to share information about the variety of daytime cooling options available throughout Austin. HSO has provided outreach teams with access to nearly 4,000 bottles of water to distribute to unsheltered residents, and the Office continues to send text message notifications to amplify awareness of daytime cooling locations.
To review a map of other daytime cooling centers available through the City of Austin and hours of operation, please visit: austintexas.gov/alerts.
Learn more about homelessness in Austin by visiting www.austintexas.gov/homelessness.