Options
Directory \| Departments \| FAQ \| Links \| Site Map \| Help \| Contact Us

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 contract with Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation (ATC MHMR) to provide services through the Homeless Resource Center from January-December 1999. Austin Travis County MHMR subcontracts out the operations of the ARCH to another non-profit organization, the Capital Area Homeless Alliance.

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.

The City's recent agreement with the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) requires that the resource center be relocated. City staff have secured an alternative site for this program at 701 West Fifth Street. This property is currently leased by the City, and is being remodeled to accommodate ARCH programs. The ARCH will be relocated to this property by the beginning of August.

Businesses and other property owners adjacent to the property on West Fifth Street have expressed concerns regarding the safety and appearance of the ARCH program. The City has addressed these concerns by requiring the contractor to increase on-site security and maintenance staff. The City will also conduct regular visits to the site to address any neighborhood concerns that may arise. Landscaping and other design amenities will also be added to the site to enhance its appearance.

Description

The location of the ARCH program at 701 West Fifth Street is only an interim site until a new, permanent resource center is built. Under the City's Homeless Self Sufficiency and Responsibility Initiative, the Austin City Council has recommended development of a new homeless facility that includes a larger resource center, a 100 bed men's shelter and a new homeless health care clinic. The resource center component of the facility will provide centralized intake and referral to all homeless, and offer services that homeless persons need in order to make the transition to self sufficiency.

The Austin City Council has approved funds for the design and construction of the new homeless shelter, resource center and clinic. The City has recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting bidders to construct and operate the new facility. A decision on the RFP, and the location of the new facility, is expected in July 1999.

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: (501 West Fifth Street) Current - May 31, 2001

Contract Term: January 1, 1999-December 31, 1999

Contract Award: $180,000

Revised July 13, 1999

Back to the July 1999 Contents


	Austin City Connection - The Official Web site of the City of Austin
	Contact Us: Send Email or 512-974-6418.
	Legal Notices \| Privacy Statement
	© 1995 City of Austin, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
	P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767 (512) 974-2000