Written By: Nick M.

Edited By: Bianca I.

As you are driving around Austin, it may seem like there are more places you see homelessness occurring. For example, there are tents and countless cases of homelessness scattered all throughout downtown on West Cesar Chavez St. Is it becoming more obvious where homelessness is occurring or has there been an increase in homelessness in the last year?

The Statistics 

One of the ways to determine the number of individuals experiencing homelessness is a Point-in-time-count. One was carried out on a night in January where the Continuums of Care count individuals sheltered in emergency shelter and transitional housing on a single night. According to THN.org, alongside this traditional count, “Continuums of Care also must conduct a count of unsheltered homeless persons every other year (odd-numbered years)”. These two ways of collecting information help gather the representation of homelessness in Austin, Texas.

Current Count 

According to Statesman.com, the latest point-in-time-count, “found an 11% increase in people experiencing homelessness in the city and in Travis County in 2020, including more than 1,500 people who were unsheltered.” This year, a total of 886 volunteers collected information ranging from transitional housing situations, tents, and other forms of living. According to  The Statesman.com, after the count, “1,574 were unsheltered, living outside, in tents or in cars. That number marks a 45% increase in the number of unsheltered homeless people over the 2019 count, which tallied 1,086. Meanwhile, the number of people in shelters or transitional housing was 932, a 20% drop from 2019”. They found that more people were not living in the traditional shelters or housing but there was a huge increase in the number of homeless living on the streets in cars or tents.

Reasons 

The City of Austin recently allowed an ordinance regarding camping and living policies in Austin. The two main aspects of the ordinance according to Statesman.com are:

1. “The new policy makes public camping — except on parkland — legal, as long as a person does not endanger “the health or safety of another person or of themselves” or make “usage of such area unreasonably inconvenient or hazardous.”
2. “It also makes it legal for people to sit, sleep or panhandle on public sidewalks as long as they don’t engage in hazardous behavior or actions deemed aggressive.”

These new ordinances may be the cause of more people living on the streets instead of traditional homeless shelters. This also may be the cause for people noticing more individuals setting up tents and living downtown. 

Now What 

The new ordinance has been a topic of controversy in Austin, Texas. Some people side with it while others strongly disagree. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the increase of the homeless downtown and other areas in the streets, raise the answer that something needs to be set up to provide these individuals with a solution. Hopefully, throughout the year people begin to realize this issue of homelessness is very real and something needs to be done to assist and help the needs of these individuals. Here are some links to ways you can spread awareness of homelessness in Austin:

• Hunger & Homelessness- ACCENT
• Social Media Accounts Regarding Homelessness 

 

Tags: Homelessness, Austin, Current Count 

 

Written by: Andrew A. 

Edited by: Bianca I.

In Austin, Texas the homeless population is a serious issue that continues to grow gradually despite the city’s efforts to control and help those in need. If you, a friend, or a family member are looking for ways to do your part and help those less fortunate in the Austin area, here are some organizations you should consider donating to or volunteering at.

 

Austin Shelter for Women and Children, The Salvation Army

The mission of this organization is to get all of the women and children who are experiencing homelessness in Austin off of the streets and into safety. The organization makes an effort to turn peoples lives around by setting them on a path to a healthy and comfortable life by providing employment assistance, child care, and child/family therapy to every resident. 

If you’re looking to volunteer with Austin Shelter for Women and Children, you can go to their homepage and under the tab “Ways You Can Help” there is a link showing those interested how they can sign up. What The Salvation Army is looking for in their volunteers are people who are looking to give back to the community and are also willing to work with a team of people to help the homeless. So, if this is something you or a friend may be interested in, follow this link to find out more on how you can help with this organization.  

 

Front Steps

Front Steps is another well-known organization in the Austin area for donating and volunteering to help the homeless. Formed in 1997, the philosophy of the organization is, “that all people deserve the dignity of a safe place to call home.” Front steps not only provides an immediate home for those struggling to find one but also helps people transition from homelessness into their own housing. 

If you want to make a donation to this organization, on the homepage there is a “Donation” tab at the top of the page and halfway down the screen. Both links will lead you to the same place. After you click on the tab, you choose the amount you want to donate, give your information, and submit your payment. You have the option of giving $10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $200, or type in the amount you want to donate in the “Other” option.  

 

Foundation for the Homeless

The final organization you should consider when looking to donate or volunteer to is the Foundation for the Homeless. One of their strongest programs is the Family Rehousing Initiative, or FRI. The program focuses on rapid rehousing for families with children in their shelter. The purpose is to find secure housing and that the families have access to case management. 

Both the donation and volunteer tabs are at the top of the page on their website. For donating to the Foundation for the Homeless, they give you the option to donate to “In-Kind & Wish Lists” where you have the option of donating used household items such as mattresses and kitchen utensils. The other donation option is the “Donor’s Rights” link. To Volunteer, click on the “Volunteer” tab and it will take you to a page where it directs you to a link to sign up.  

 

Moving Forward

It can feel overwhelming at times to try and decide what is the best way to help and do your part. A single person can’t help everybody, but every single one of us can help someone. Whether you donate, volunteer, or both, each effort will make a difference in the long run.

 

Tags: Homelessness, Austin, Volunteer, Donate, Salvation Army, Front Steps, Foundation for the Homeless.        

 

Written by: Bianca I 

Edited by: Andrew A 

It goes without saying that the COVID-19 coronavirus has affected all of our lives in more ways than one. When the pandemic started, many people were laid off from their jobs. According to The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “The unemployment rate jumped in April 2020 to a level not seen since the 1930s– and still stood at 6.2 percent in February 2021.”

Plenty of small businesses had to close down. Everything that happened in person was moved to a virtual setting. Poverty levels increased. We have all been busy thinking about how our own lives have changed because of the pandemic, but have you ever stopped to think about how the homeless was affected?

The Pandemic

Let me take you back to when everything started to shut down. People went crazy at the grocery stores and bought everything they could in preparation for the lockdown. All of the shelves were emptied. Y’all remember when there was no toilet paper anywhere, right?

Everyone stocked up on food and housing supplies, but what was the one thing that everyone definitely made sure to buy? Masks. The virus was spreading like wildfire, and we had to protect ourselves and our family members. Most of us were able to buy masks at a store or online. 

However, homeless people did not have the money or resources to go out and buy masks as easily as the rest of us did. They also didn’t have access to hand sanitizer and running water and soap to keep themselves from getting the virus.

Shelter outbreaks led to many infections and forced people onto the streets as shelters restricted capacity. The amount of volunteers at shelters reduced because people needed to stay home to stop the virus from spreading. The homeless had no home or supplies to keep themselves afloat. 

I remember it being very hard in the beginning of this pandemic to stay occupied while we were locked in our homes, but at least we were lucky enough to have homes to stay in. 

 

What can YOU do about it?

Because most of us are in a position to help our underserved communities in one way or another, it is our responsibility to take action. We have all felt the effects of the pandemic in our lives, so let’s do what we can to help homeless people’s lives a little bit easier. We can educate ourselves, volunteer, and donate. 

Here are a few resources in Austin, Texas that you can visit to learn more about volunteering opportunities: 

• Front Steps
• Salvation Army  
• Caritas of Austin
• Echo 
• Foundation for the Homeless

Follow our SEU Combats Homelessness Campaign to learn more about the homelessness issue in Austin, Texas and ways you can help. Let’s all come together to tackle homelessness. 

 

Follow us on social media!

Twitter: @seu_ch

Instagram: @seu.ch

 

Tags: Austin, Texas, Homeless, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Donate, Volunteer 

 

On our twitter, we addressed the concern for how homeless people could receive the newest stimulus package that President Joe Biden signed into law last week. With homeless people most likely not filing taxes, there was concern for how they would receive payments that they are most likely eligible for. Here we will provide some resources as to how homeless people should go about receiving their stimulus checks. 

With the economic impact that COVID-19 has had on job and housing stability, low income people have been at the highest risk of losing jobs and houses. Since the stimulus checks will arrive via direct deposit and mail, concerns have arisen as to how homeless people can receive theirs. We hope to address concerns and questions as well as serve as a resource for assistance. 

Newsweek reported that people who are currently experiencing homelessness should use the IRS’ Non- Filer tools. On the website, there are multiple options for people who have possibly missed deadlines or are eligible to claim last year’s stimulus payments of $1,200 and $600. 

There are also free options to file income tax forms located on the IRS’ free file website where they provide more information about resources. Additionally, some homeless shelters allow for their clients to use their address for tax filing purposes.   

As for people who are at risk of becoming homeless or have housing insecurity due to pandemic related causes, the American Rescue Act also has provisions for assistance. Holland & Knight outlined that, “The legislation provides $40 billion of rental and mortgage assistance, which includes $21.55 billion for emergency rental assistance, $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers, $750 million for tribal housing needs and $100 million for rural housing.” 

To apply for benefits from the stimulus package in relation to rent assistance, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has a portal to apply for assistance. Here, the Texas Rent Relief website has questionnaires to see if you qualify as well as the application. 

Additionally, if someone does not have access to a computer, taxes can be filed from a mobile phone. This can help people receive stimulus money that has not yet been received. The IRS also has a website to get free tax prep help which can give people a better understanding for filing their taxes.  

We understand the immense impact that both COVID-19 and the recent winter storm have had on the Texas area. We hope that the resources in this blog can help people understand how they can assist and advise homeless people that have not been able to receive stimulus payments. Please share this blog and information with people who can assist the homeless. This money could be the difference between having a roof over your head and being on the street. 

If you or someone you know has any questions about the information in this post, please leave us a comment here or tweet us @seu_ch and we will provide you with any additional information we can. 

 

Written by Analisa F

Edited by Jayne R

 

Tags homeless, austin, texas, stimulus, rent relief.

 

Written by: Jayne R

Edited by: Analisa F

Are you homeless for the first time and in need of some supportive help, or maybe it’s not your first time being homeless but your first time looking for help? Luckily, Austin has quite a few non-profits that are dedicated to helping the homeless. 

 

What is a “non-profit” you may ask? According to the National Council of Nonprofits, “America’s 1.3 million charitable nonprofits feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten, and nurture people of every age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, from coast to coast, border to border, and beyond. They foster civic engagement and leadership, drive economic growth, and strengthen the fabric of our communities.”

Caritas of Austin

Caritas of Austin provides countless services for the homeless. They offer housing programs, which includes three types of options. The first one is permanent supportive housing which provides “housing, onsite supportive services, and mental health counseling for disabled individuals experiencing long-term homelessness.”

 

The second program is called housing stability, which offers rehousing services to those who recently lost their home to an expected crisis. Lastly, they offer a youth housing program to those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

 

Caritas also has a food program for the homeless, community kitchen and pantry. The Community Kitchen serves free lunch Mondays through Fridays to individuals who are in need of food. The food pantry provides groceries to struggling clients. 

 

Not only does Caritas provide food and housing services, but they also offer education classes, employment, and veterans assistance. 

Front Steps 

Front Steps offers many services from shelter to affordable housing. Their shelter is known as The ARCH and is located downtown off of 7th and Neches. The ARCH provides “information on how and where to access a wide range of services, and where basic services such as restrooms, showers, lockers, laundry, internet access, and mail pick up are provided daily.”

 

Front Steps also has a service called Recuperative Care Program which provides nursing care to those who no longer qualify to be in a hospital, but shouldn’t be on the streets either.

 

Another service Front Steps provides is Support Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). SSVF “provides short term, rapid rehousing assistance with intensive case management to very low-income veteran families to obtain stable permanent housing.” HVRP is meant to help veterans obtain a job and provide housing for veteran households. 

 

Besides offering services in shelter, housing, veterans, and medical care, Front Steps also helps with case management. 

 

OTHER RESOURCES?

Don’t worry, Caritas and Front Doors aren’t the only non-profits in Austin that offer services to the homeless. Here is a list of the other non-profits that can help you through your transition: 

• Goodwill of Central Texas
• Integral Care
• Mobile Loaves and Fishes
• SAFE
• Salvation Army Austin
• United Way for Greater Austin

 

Tags; Homeless, Austin, Texas, Nonprofits

 

Written by: Analisa F

Edited by: Bianca I

It comes as no surprise that there’s a huge emotional toll that being homeless takes on a person. Additionally, mental illness affects 1 in 3 homeless people. Being homeless is mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. In today’s blog, we will provide more insight into the cause and effect cycle that homelessness has on people. 

 

For a homeless person, every day entails many problems that people who aren’t homeless wouldn’t understand. They have to figure out where they’re going to get food, where they will sleep that night and if it will be safe, where they can get money and how to safely do that, and where they could possibly go to take a shower or clean their clothes. On top of all of that, every day involves a new struggle and concern about safety and survival. 

 

Mental Tolls

Being homeless is mentally draining because every day they have to deal with the uncertainty of life and how they will get through the day. Moreover, homelessness exacerbates any pre-existing mental health issues a homeless person had prior to being homeless. It is crucial for homeless people to have access to resources that can help them maintain a stable mental state. In order for a homeless person to be successful in getting out of the cycle of homelessness, they must have mental health resources.

 

Physical Tolls

There are physically draining factors to being homeless. Homeless people have to walk and find transportation to wherever they may need to go that day, such as food pantries, shelters, or other facilities. Also, they have to wake up and endure whatever the weather is like that day because they don’t have anywhere else to go. Think of all the homeless people that had to suffer through the bone chilling temperatures during the recent Texas snow storm. Imagine having to be outside and trying to find ways to stay warm and not get hypothermia without blankets or a roof over your head.

 

Emotional Tolls

This all leads to the emotional cost that being homeless has on people. Being homeless is isolating and a person can feel alone in their struggle. Homelessness is depressing and can lead to diminished mental health. Additionally, it can lead to overall negative feelings about oneself and the unfortunate situation that they find themselves in. 

 

This feeling of overwhelming isolation is why we encourage people to donate time to shelters and pantries, so that homeless people can feel like there are people that want to help them and are willing to donate things like time and money. We understand that donating money can be difficult for some, but we hope that everyone is willing to donate things like their time and resources. Homelessness affects every aspect of their lives, so it is important to help them rehabilitate every aspect of their life. At the bottom of this post are some resources that can help provide assistance for homeless people suffering and in need of mental help. 

 

Resources

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/resources-those-experiencing-homelessness

https://integralcare.org/program/pathaccess-homeless-services/

 

References 

https://www.bbrfoundation.org/blog/homelessness-and-mental-illness-challenge-our-society

https://journalstar.com/news/local/it-s-not-an-easy-life-the-collision-of-homelessness-and-mental-illness/article_1402d077-6bd1-5d63-8cd6-3cb34a15509b.html

Tags

Homelessness Austin Texas Mental Health Rehabilitation

 

Written By: Nick M.
Edited By Andrew A.

 

Homelessness is something that is prevalent in the city of Austin, Texas. As you drive through the streets under bridges and on the side of the road, you can’t help but notice the homelessness crisis. Tents and collected objects are scattered throughout the city, creating small clusters of those without permanent shelter. 

The question that starts to form is: “What are the causes of homelessness?” Austinecho.org defines four major causes of homelessness with: lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable healthcare, abuse & trauma, and racial inequality.

Lack of Affordable Housing

Austin is increasingly becoming more expensive to live in. As certain areas of Austin get developed, it raises the price of housing for the individuals that live in the area. This then creates the issue of being able to afford housing and sustain a stable source of income for individuals to live off. 

According to Austinecho.org, “ in Austin, a minimum wage worker would need to work 125 hours a week just to afford a one-bedroom apartment.”

Lack of Affordable Healthcare 

While housing causes an issue of expenses, unpaid medical bills can lead to many other financial burdens for individuals. According to Austintexas.org, “approximately one quarter of the population aged 18 to 64… does not have health insurance, and cost is a barrier to health care for many.” In a world where substance abuse and mental health issues are on the rise, people may come into need of medical assistance. These bills can cripple the financial status of many individuals causing them to be unable to pay bills and have major setbacks. Ultimately this could lead to untreated health problems as well as financial struggles that lead to people being unable to pay for housing. 

Abuse & Trauma 

According to Austinecho.org, “in Austin, 72% of people experiencing homelessness report that their homelessness was caused by trauma or abuse.” This is one of the leading causes for homelessness. This abuse or trauma can occur in relationships, family life, etc. When this abuse or trauma occurs, it can turn the individual’s life upside down. This can force an individual to have to flee, abandoning their house, finances, and other belongings.

Racial Inequality   

Especially throughout the last year, systemic racism is something that has been seen in society. This likely puts people of color at a disadvantage for things such as background checks for housing, educational resources, and economic opportunities. 2020 has been a tough year for many of these individuals, and these setbacks (even if they appear minor) can deeply affect people’s status of living in a negative way. 

How Can I Help?

Homelessness in Austin is an issue with several causes. You may be asking yourself, “how can I contribute to help with this crisis?” Some of the best ways to contribute is with your time and donations. Below are several links to organizations and nonprofits that provide solutions for the causes of homelessness:

• Austin Habitat 
• Integral Care
• Safe Austin
• NAACP Austin

 

Tags; Homeless, Causes, Help, Time, Donations, Austin.

 

Written By: Jayne Richardson

What is homelessness? AustinTexas.Gov defines homelessness as “people who live in a place not meant for human habitation or shelter.” 

It is common for most people to think that there is only one kind of homeless person, someone who lives on the streets, but it is quite the contrary. There are actually different forms of homelessness and it can be difficult to detect a homeless person sometimes. 

Homelessness can be classified into four categories: chronic, episodic, transitional, and hidden. 

Chronic Homelessness

Chronic homelessness is when someone experiences homelessness for over a year or has encountered homelessness multiple times over the past couple of years. Most people who experience chronic homelessness are older and struggle with mental illness, addiction, or physical disabilities. 

Chronic homelessness is what most people encounter and think of when referring to a homeless person, but this type of homelessness is less common than the others. 

Episodic Homelessness 

Episodic Homelessness is when a person is homeless on-and-off throughout their life or has been homeless multiple times in one year. These individuals are usually young, chronically unemployed, and struggle with mental illness, addiction, or medical issues. 

Episodic homelessness can eventually turn into chronic homelessness if the person experiences homelessness four or more times within a year. 

Transitional Homelessness 

Transitional Homelessness is when a catastrophic event or crisis causes a person to be homeless for a short amount of time. This type of homelessness is the most common and accounts for the majority of the homeless population. 

It is typical for a transitional homeless person to check into a shelter, instead of sleep on the streets. 

Hidden Homelessness

Hidden Homelessness are individuals who do not have permanent housing and typically rely on friends or family for a place to stay. Hidden homelessness is actually not a part of the national statistics for homeless people, only because these people do nott access the homeless support resources. 

How Can I Help?

Homelessness is a huge problem in the Austin area and is progressively getting worse. The best way to get involved is by volunteering or donating to your local homeless nonprofits.  There are so many nonprofits in Austin you can get involved with to help out the homeless. Here are a few to help get you started:

• Caritas of Austin

• The Other Ones Foundation

• Street Youth Ministry 

Homeless, Austin, Texas, urbanrenewal, nonprofit, volunteer

Written by: Bianca Ibarra

How many times have you seen a homeless person while driving around Austin, Texas? 

Homelessness in Austin, Texas has been a serious issue for a long time and even more so now due to the pandemic. According to the Texas Tribune, “the city had 2,506 people experiencing homelessness last year. The number grew by one-third between 2016 and 2020. But experts warn that these counts provide only a snapshot of the problem and the real numbers could be higher.”

The Issue 

The other day, I decided to treat myself to some Whataburger. I picked up the food and was on my way back home when I saw a homeless man at the stoplight on the intersection of Oltorf and I-35. He looked as if he was in his 30’s and his clothes were dirty. He held a cardboard sign that said “ANYTHING HELPS.” I called him over and gave him a dollar. He took the dollar and said, “Thank you so much, ma’am. God bless.” 

I looked at him and then looked at the food I just bought from Whataburger. I couldn’t help but think about how that Whataburger meal was one of the many meals I would have had that week, and this man didn’t even know if he was going to be able to eat anything at all that day. 

I called him over again and handed him my Whataburger meal. He took it and said, “Wow, really?” He looked at the food, and it seemed as if he was about to cry. He looked back up at me with the biggest smile on his face and said, “You don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you so much.” Then, the light turned green and I drove away. 

I honestly couldn’t help but cry the rest of the way home at the thought of how much that one meal changed that man’s day. I also couldn’t help but think that if I am in the position to do something as small as that, I have the ability to do more. 

This is just one story of one homeless man in Austin. Think about all of the homeless people living in tents underneath State Highway 71 by Manchaca Road or the homeless communities all over downtown. What if they were your friends or family members? What if one of them was you? We all think that it could never be us until it is. 

Now, you may be wondering: what can I do to help? 

Take Action  

Have some free time during your weekend? Volunteer. Have gently used items you don’t use anymore? Donate them. There are so many places to volunteer and donate to help the homeless community in our city (to name a few):

• Front Steps
• Austin Shelter for Women and Children
• Casa Marianella 
• Foundation for the Homeless

For more ways to do your part in helping the homeless in Austin, follow our SEU Combats Homelessness Campaign. We will continue to provide the public with resources and encouragement to help our underserved communities. Let’s combat homelessness together. 

Follow us on Twitter: @seu_ch

 

Tags:

Austin, Texas, Homeless, Resources, Volunteer, Donate