Austin Resource Center for the Homeless
Summary
The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) is a program that provides basic services to persons who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Status
Under the auspices of the Community Action Network (CAN), the City and County recently negotiated a contract with Austin/Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation (A/TC MHMR) to provide services through the Homeless Resource Center from January-December 1998.
Issues
Downtown merchants and businesses initially objected to the City leasing this facility for use as a Homeless Resource Center. They expressed concerns about security, and that the presence of this facility would discourage further business development in the area because the number of homeless persons frequenting the area would increase. The lease with the City was made contingent upon the contractor taking reasonable steps to address these concerns.
Description
A recent proposal forwarded by the Austin City Council proposes to build a new Resource Center on property adjacent to the Salvation Army shelter. This Center would be co-located with a proposed new homeless shelter serving homeless men. The new Resource Center would provide centralized intake and referral to all homeless, as well as offering services that homeless persons need in order to make the transition to self sufficiency. The Resource Center would also include an expanded health care clinic.
Basic Data
Program Manager: Joyce Pohlman, Department of Health and Human Services, 707-5412
Contract Monitor: Billie Garrett, Department of Health and Human Services, 707-3249
Contractor: Surrena Schreiber, A/TC MHMR, 445-7728
Lease Term: Under negotiation
Contract Term: January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998
Contract Award: $180,000
Revised April 21, 1998
Back to the April 1998 Contents
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