AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new task force is bringing together more than 12 organizations and agencies to work together to reduce homelessness in downtown Austin.
The city of Austin and Downtown Austin Alliance on Tuesday announced the Downtown Homelessness Task Force, aimed at “curbing the inflow of newly unhoused individuals and increasing the number of people transitioning off the streets into shelter, housing, or diversion programs,” according to a press release from the city.
“This effort reflects a shared commitment by many partners to lasting change on the streets of Downtown Austin,” David Gray, city of Austin Homeless Strategy Officer, said in the release. “We’ve heard of individuals being brought here or released directly to the streets, and of the barriers they face in accessing the support needed for stable housing. By working together, this task force will drive solutions that are both compassionate and effective.”
The cross-agency task force is made up of the following organizations, nonprofits and healthcare partners:
- City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office,
- Austin Police Department,
- Austin Community Court,
- Austin Government Relations,
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
- Downtown Austin Alliance,
- Integral Care,
- Travis County,
- Central Health,
- Ending Community Homeless Coalition,
- Trinity Center,
- Travis County Attorney’s Office, and others.
The city’s release said by the end of the year, the task force “will produce a clear set of actionable policy and partnership strategies, identify lead agencies for each, and establish a timeline for implementation.”
The city said in the release that it will continue to support other initiatives focused on homelessness in downtown Austin, including the recently deployed Homelessness Engagement Assistance Response Team, which addresses non-emergency issues and de-escalates behavioral issues, as well as the Homeless Outreach Street Team, which provides medical and mental health services to people experiencing homelessness in downtown Austin.
More information about homelessness in Austin can be found on the city’s website.