06.15.2023

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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

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How to help the homeless population in Austin

The Austin skyline, as seen from Lady Bird Lake

Depending on the count, there are an estimated 2,500-13,000 Austinites experiencing homelessness. | Photo by ATXtoday

By some counts, Austin has one of the largest populations of people experiencing homelessness in the US.

Several local entities are working to provide support to unhoused Austinites — here’s what you need to know and how you can help.

How many people are experiencing homelessness in Austin?

Due to several factors that make counting the homeless population difficult, there are multiple, wide-ranging assessments of Austin’s unhoused residents. Recent estimates include:

Point in Time, a one-night census of people sleeping outside: ~2,300 (2023)
ECHO, all sheltered and unsheltered homeless: ~5,094 (2022)
Individuals served by the Austin-Travis County Homelessness Response System: 13,208 (2021)
National Consultants, all sheltered and unsheltered homeless: ~10,350 (2020)

Although estimates range, trends show the homeless population is growing as Austin’s overall population increases. Austin ECHO also found:

Black and Hispanic people are significantly more likely to experience homelessness
11% are veterans
34% are survivors of domestic violence

A graphic with stats about Austinites experiencing homelessness, including a pie chart saying that 73% of the homeless population is unsheltered. — Sheltered people have emergency, transitional, or short-term housing, while people who are sleeping in tents, abandoned buildings, or other places not meant for living are considered unsheltered.
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Graphic by ATXtoday, data from Austin ECHO

What’s causing homelessness?

The causes of homelessness are complex and multifaceted. Acute factors like job loss, medical debt, or leaving an abusive relationship can lead a person into homelessness, but systemic structures also exacerbate the issue. To top it all off, Austin’s cost of living is quickly increasing.

How to help

The City of Austin’s Action Plan to End Homelessness involves providing outreach and shelter, housing, and support services, among other initiatives.

Last week, the City Council approved funding geared toward these efforts, including:

Renegotiating the lease on the Downtown Salvation Army shelter and funding its operations
Funding behavioral health services at the Northbridge Shelter
Funding Austin Resource Center for the Homeless through the end of 2023

A slew of local nonprofits also work to provide housing and resources to people in need — you can support their cause by volunteering or donating.

Events

Thursday, June 15

Brahms X Radiohead | Thursday, June 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $39-$99 | This amalgamation of “OK Computer” and Brahms’ first symphony will leave you breathless.
“Hairspray” | Thursday, June 15-Sunday, June 18 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $45-$150 | The Tony Award-winning musical follows Tracy Turnblad and her adventures on the Corny Collins Show.

Friday, June 16

Soul 2 Sole: “It’s About Time” | Friday, June 16-Saturday, June 17 | 8 p.m. | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $25-$35 | Experience choreographed tap dance as it entwines with jazz and history.
Love and Rockets | Friday, June 16 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $45-$125 | The 1980s-era English rock band stops in Austin for one night.

Saturday, June 17

Premier Rugby Sevens | Saturday, June 17 | 4 p.m. | Q2 Stadium, 10414 McKalla Pl., Austin | $20-$95 | Watch pro rugby live in North Austin.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo | Saturday, June 17 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $7-$12 | Step into the strange at this expo featuring 150+ vendors selling taxidermy, horror-inspired art, antiques, and other oddities.

Sunday, June 18

Cars & Coffee Austin | Sunday, June 18 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin | Free | Check out some of the coolest cars in Texas at this free showcase — or register your own vehicle for $10.

Tuesday, June 20

Summer Axe Throwing Leagues | Tuesday, June 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Blade & Timber, 3005 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 110-A, Austin | $80 | Add some competitive axe-citement to your Tuesday nights by joining Blade & Timber’s summer axe-throwing leagues — at $80 for eight weeks of gameplay, it’s a real deal.*

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

With the Austin area under an extreme heat advisory until this evening, ERCOT issued a weather watch until Wednesday, June 21 in anticipation of higher electric demand. Grid conditions are currently normal, and management will monitor them as potentially record-breaking heat continues. (KXAN)

Announced

Trisha Yearwood and John Prine will be inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame this fall. The country star and folk singer will be celebrated at an event on Thursday, Oct. 26 at the downtown venue. (Austin American-Statesman)

Ranked

Texas athletics earned more than $239,290,648 in revenue last year, making the university the second-highest earner in the NCAA and the highest earner in the Big 12. The No. 1 spot goes to Ohio State, which brought in $251,615,345. (USA Today)

Coming Soon

Bodhi’s Hideaway, a 90s-themed beach bar, is set to open this month at 10402 Menchaca Rd. The new spot — the second concept from the team behind South Austin Beer Garden — will serve tropical cocktails. (Eater Austin)

Real Estate

Austin’s median home price declined to $467,500 in May. During the same time frame, housing inventory increased to 3.4 months and average days on the market increased to 65 days.

Number

$50 million. That’s how much this Lake Austin home is on the market for, with the potential to become the most expensive house ever sold in the state of Texas. The six-acre property includes 10,505 sqft of living space, a zero edge infinity pool, and a home theater. (KXAN)

Finance

A Banksy painting that gave everyday investors 32% returns? Yep, you read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bank thanks to the fine art investing platform Masterworks. Masterworks investors have benefitted from sales with returns of 13.9%, 35.0%, and 27.3%. Skip the waitlist and join.*

Featured Deal

Need a last minute Father’s Day gift idea? Treat dad to the ultimate smart home upgrade by converting his manual window shades into motorized SmartShades. Easy-to-install, energy savings, and smart sophistication all in one package. RYSE is offering 10% off the entire store. Snag the deal here.*

Shop

Our online shop (Six & Main) is now featuring Major Darling, an Austin-based brand that offers ethically made, high-quality dog collars, leashes, and all-natural sustainable shampoos for your furry friends. Shop the eco-friendly brand.

Travel

It’s time to plan that last summer hurrah for Labor Day weekend. May we suggest a coastal getaway to the Outer Banks? Or maybe your dream destination is a rustic treehouse in the Adirondack Mountains. Wanna splurge? This modern farmhouse in Napa Valley is sure to be unforgettable.*

Holiday

Celebrate Juneteenth locally

13 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Austin

The center of the Texas African American History Memorial at the Texas State Capitol depicts Juneteenth in Texas when African Americans were freed. | Photo by @imdxtryu

Juneteenth — which takes place on Monday, June 19 — commemorates the day slavery was officially abolished in the US, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Honor the day and its history around town:

Austin Citywide Juneteenth Festival | Thursday, June 15-Monday, June 19 | Times vary | George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St., Austin | Free | Get ready for a week’s worth of festivities, including live music, cultural conversations, and parade.

Juneteenth Celebration | Sunday, June 18 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | Free with admission | Stop by for lawn games and a painting class with Rejina Thomas, or take a driving tour of Black West Austin.

Juneteenth Freedom Summit | Monday, June 19 | 2 p.m. | Bass Lecture Hall, 2315 Red River St., Austin | Free | The third annual summit will include speakers from The Emancipator, Rosa Rebellion, and the Texas Black Caucus Foundation.

10 more events

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

If you’re looking for more ways to help the unhoused population in Austin, Glimmer|Austin is one more resource.

I worked at A Glimmer of Hope — the nonprofit’s arm geared toward supporting women and girls in Ethiopia — a few years ago, and one of the things I liked most about the organization is that an endowment allows 100% of donations to go directly toward the cause. Since 2005, the nonprofit has invested more than $10 million in Austin-area nonprofits.

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