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Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH)

Interim Location

Summary

The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) is a program that provides basic services and shelter to persons who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Under the auspices of the Community Action Network (CAN), the City and County contract with the Capital Area Homeless Alliance (CAHA) to provide day resource center services through the ARCH. These services include showers, laundry facilities, telephones, mail service, lockers, and information and referral. CAHA also provides other services such as job search support, computer access, clothing closets for men and women, identification card assistance, bicycle repair and construction workshops, and town hall meetings to collect opinions and suggestions concerning the ARCH. The ARCH also houses several co-located agencies that provide services to homeless persons, including legal and benefits assistance, arts programs, and offices for individuals to meet with service providers.

Status

On August 15, 2001, the ARCH moved to an interim location at 400 Nueces. The City added an overnight shelter program for 73 men at the interim site and amended CAHA's contract to include operation of the shelter. The shelter has been operating at full capacity since it opened.

Issues

The moving of services from the current site to the interim site is expected to proceed seamlessly. Neighbors and businesses in the area around the ARCH have supported the site at 701 W. Fifth Street, and it is anticipated that they will continue to support the ARCH at 400 Nueces. The City will have a sublease with CAHA for the ARCH interim site similar to the one in place for the current site.

Description

The interim ARCH location will be used for programs 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 an expanded health care clinic for people in homeless situations. The City Council approved funds for the design and construction of the downtown facility. The program design has been completed, and the physical design is nearing completion. In January of 2002 the City will request bids for the project's construction. In early 2002 a request for proposals will be released to solicit an operator to manage the entire facility. The City's Primary Care Department will operate the clinic. Construction is expected to be completed in July of 2003.

Basic Data

Project Contact: Mary Rychlik, Homeless Services Coordinator, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, 707-5929
Anjum Hanafi, Research Analyst, A/TC HHSD, 707-3246
Contract Monitor: Billie Garrett, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, 707-3248
Contractor: Helen Varty, Capital Area Homeless Alliance (CAHA), 476-4053
Lease Term: February 2001 through January 2004
Contract Term: January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001

Revised October 22, 2001

Back to the October 2001 Downtown Report

Back to the Downtown Redevelopment


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