North Austin News

The City of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) has announced a funding initiative aimed at homelessness prevention services. With funds totaling $2.2 million, the grants will provide rental and financial assistance, as well as supportive services to avoid homelessness. Organizations eligible for this support can apply until May 20, 2025.

David Gray, City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Officer, stated, “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.” He emphasized that stabilizing individuals and families before they lose their housing helps reduce the reliance on emergency shelters and contributes to better long-term outcomes by preventing the trauma of homelessness.

The program focuses on assisting households at risk of losing their homes by providing resources such as time-limited rental assistance and addressing factors leading to housing insecurity. Gray noted the cost-effectiveness of these efforts, highlighting that they reduce the necessity for more expensive emergency services and help individuals regain self-sufficiency, ultimately lowering societal costs associated with homelessness.

HSO expects to award up to three contracts, with a cumulative limit of $2,212,508. These contracts, anticipated to commence on August 1, 2025, are subject to approval by the Austin City Council.

Interested organizations can find eligibility requirements and application details on the City's PartnerGrants database or the City's website under RFA 2025-001 Homelessness Prevention. More information on homelessness in Austin is available at www.austintexas.gov/homelessness.