On Sept 20, the Austin City Council received a report from the new interim Homeless Strategy Officer.

The previous Homeless Strategy Officer resigned after deplorable conditions were exposed at the newest $8.5 million Northbridge facility which houses 60 people.

• Salvation Army downtown shelter has been leased by the city at undisclosed cost to house 50 people. The facility will start housing after renovations that should last 6 weeks.
• The Marshalling Yard shelter has opened and is now full with 200 people. The temporary shelter cost $9 million. The people accepted so far have been moved from camps. New procedures are being worked out for future referrals.
• The city reports that all shelter capacity in the entire system is at 100%. Participation time in temporary city-run shelters has increased from 180 days to 227 days due to lack of housing options.
• The city has approved plans to increase shelter beds by 772 beds in the next two years at a cost of $26 million.