Government
BY BEN THOMPSON
After several hotel properties were reopened as supportive housing for homeless tenants in 2024, hundreds more apartments for clients exiting homelessness are expected in the coming years. The city’s hotel conversions are part of a broader strategy to boost the local stock of permanent supportive housing—units offering extended rental assistance and supportive services. In 2021, officials moved to buy or fund the conversions of three hotel properties in Northwest Austin to serve as long-term PSH. The complexes all opened in the second half of 2024. The cost Transforming the three hotels and offering Austin looks to fund more housing for the homeless
New housing options Austin contributed to opening four permanent supportive housing options in Northwest Austin in 2024. Hotel conversions 1 Balcones Terrace: 123 units 2 Pecan Gardens: 78 units 3 Bungalows at Century Park: 60 units New construction 4 Espero Rutland: 171 units
3
45 TOLL
620
2
183
PECAN PARK BLVD.
183
MOPAC
N. CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY.
1
35
360
4
RUTLAND DR.
N
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
million to develop hundreds of new PSH units annually. City Council will vote to adopt ECHO’s report and find ways to fund new PSH Jan. 30. Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray said new development, rather than the rehabilitation of existing buildings, will likely make up the bulk of new PSH projects in Austin going forward.
supportive services has cost the city around $50 million combined. The Ending Community Homelessness Coa- lition, or ECHO, oversees the regional homeless response system. Last fall, ECHO reported at least $350 million may be needed to meet Central Texas needs over the next decade, including nearly $220
8
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook