City Opens New Resource Center for the Homeless

City and community leaders gathered today to celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration for the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH).

ARCH is a multi-purpose facility designed to meet the needs of many segments of the homeless population. Located at Seventh and Neches, it is a 26,820 square feet structure designed and built with environmentally sensitive features. "The ARCH is a one stop shop providing homeless persons with all their needs," said Mayor Wynn. "This will allow the clients to focus on their ultimate goal of independence."

The City of Austin Health and Human Services Department (HHSD) is responsible for planning and coordination of services for the homeless as well as contractual oversight of the ARCH. HHSD will also provide public health education and screenings for clients on-site. "We are very pleased to be opening this new facility that will provide a comprehensive range of services for the homeless and assist individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and their full potential," says David Lurie, Director of the City's Health and Human Services Department

The City of Austin's commitment to achieving the goals of the community's Comprehensive Plan was demonstrated through the development and implementation of the Homeless Self-Sufficiency and Responsibility Initiative ("Homeless Initiative"), approved by the Austin City Council in April 1998. The groundbreaking for the ARCH took place in August 2002.

The ARCH facility consists of several components including a day resource center, a health clinic, and for homeless men, a 100-bed shelter with dining area. Up to 250 men could utilize the shelter during extreme weather.

The Day Resource Center will be open to all homeless persons and will provide basic services including showers, telephone/mail/messaging, laundry facilities, and computer access. The second floor includes a restroom facility with showers, office space for agencies to provide services such as mental health care and employment services, a room for art classes, and a clothing closet.

Operated by the City's Community Care Services Department the ARCH Health Clinic will provide direct care services and closely coordinate the care of patients with MHMR psychiatrists and substance abuse staff who will be co-located within the facility.

The Communicable Disease Unit of the City's Health and Human Services Department will also provide services. Homeless families, adults and youth will have access to acute care, wellness/prevention care, and public health screenings.

Co-located service providers include, Legal Aid for the Homeless, which provides legal services to homeless individuals; ATCMHMR's ACCESS program, which provides assessment, case management and medication follow-up to mentally ill homeless individuals; Caritas ReEntry, providing housing and long-term case management for chronically homeless people; Goodwill Industries, providing job readiness, placement and support services; and, the Crime Prevention Institute, which will have a case manager on-site for four hours per week, to meet with clients who are both homeless and ex-offenders, to help them meet all their needs so they don't re-offend.

In addition to the new amenities offered by the ARCH, clients may also use on-site services such as the ID Program, the SACK lunch program, and the Clothing Closet.

The building implements a very sophisticated, 13,000-gallon rainwater collection system, including an above ground manifold tank system. The tanks, which also act as solar shading for the interior, are gallon for gallon, more economical to build than a conventional reinforced concrete below grade tank.

Other sustainable features include a photovoltaic system, solar hot water system, and the extensive use of recycled and renewal materials. A rigorous recycling program during construction, reduction in the use of PVC products, and the use of building products like straw ceiling panels and crushed glass are a few of the many other sustainable features.

The total project cost is estimated at $8.1 Million, which was funded primarily with both grants and loans from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Please call 974-3100 (voice) or 974-3102 (TDD) for assistance. This project is made possible by funding from HUD through the City of Austin.

CONTACT: Bob Corona, 972-5002 (voice),