Austin’s Temporary Homeless Shelter To Be Shut Down In 2025

AUSTIN, Texas – Temporary Emergency Shelter Set To Close In 2025

The City of Austin’s temporary emergency homeless shelter, The Marshaling Yard, which houses up to 300 homeless people every night, has announced its plans to close down in 2025. This warehouse-turned-shelter, once used for storing convention center equipment and supplies, launched as a shelter last year. It has continuously served as an emergency resource for homeless citizens in Austin. However, city officials have signaled a shift in operations, with a view to closing the facility within the next three years.

Austin’s Homelessness Crisis

To combat the crisis, city officials have informally shared their plans for the handling of the facility’s closure and for the future of the residents of The Marshaling Yard. Starting from September, intake will only focus specifically on citizens already possessing some type of access to housing, whether it be a federal housing voucher or an accommodating relative, according to the Homeless Strategy Officer for the City of Austin, David Gray.

Closure And Replacement Challenges

After December, all new intakes at the Marshaling Yard will cease, and city officials will dedicate the following three months to finding alternative housing solutions for the existing residents at the facility. Possible alternatives could include city-owned facilities, other bridge shelters, or relocation to city-partnered communities. However, as Gray reported to members of the City of Austin’s Public Health Committee, there are currently no lined up replacements for the shelter after its closure. Gray admitted, “It’s been very challenging finding an alternative location…. unfortunately, we have not been able to find a viable location that we think works really well”. Despite these challenges, Gray remains committed to finding a replacement: “We’re committed to leaving no stone unturned,” he said.