Austin May Allocate $1M to Extend Operations of Marshalling Yard Homeless Shelter

Continued Support for City’s Homeless Population

The operational timeline of a temporary homeless shelter situated in a city warehouse in Austin could be extended with the disbursement of an additional $1 million. Just a year ago, the City Council approved the expenditure of $9.14 million to set up a 300-bed emergency shelter at the Austin Convention Center Marshalling Yard facility – a move designed to alleviate the city’s homelessness situation. Funds from the city’s slice of federal American Rescue Plan Act relief were allocated for the initiative, with more than $100 million dedicated specifically to addressing homelessness.

Possible Extension of Shelter Operations

On the 18th of April, the council will deliberate on the potential allocation of an additional $1 million from ARPA funds. This would facilitate an eight-month contract extension with Endeavors – the service organization responsible for managing the Marshalling Yard shelter since its inception in August of last year. If this extension were approved, the group’s significant contribution to relief efforts against homelessness would be able to continue into early 2025.

The Role of the Marshalling Yard Facility

According to David Gray, the city’s Homeless Strategy Officer, the Marshalling Yard emergency shelter plays a critical role in providing much-needed services to its clients. These services comprise transportation, laundry, wellness classes, pet boarding, case management, and three meals daily. Without the shelter, Mr. Gray suggests those benefiting from these services would likely have nowhere else to go, given the current dearth of availability at other Austin shelters.

Arrangements If Funding Is Not Approved

Should additional funding not get the green light this spring, the city would act immediately to relocate its Marshalling Yard clients. Operations would have to be limited, with a curbing of new resident intake prior to the termination of Endeavors’ contract in July. Nonetheless, Mr. Gray advocated for the shelter’s continued operation until next year due to the persisting homelessness crisis and the continuous demand for more beds in Austin.

Shelter’s Track Record Till Date

Since commencing operations in the latter part of 2023, the shelter on the east side has accommodated approximately 600 individuals. Data from the city indicates that in 2024, it managed a weekly occupancy rate of an impressive 97%, averaging clients stays of 111 days. Notably, more than 20% of clients who completed their stay at the facility had “positive exits”, transitioning to more stable and permanent or temporary housing.

Securing the Future of Marshalling Yard

If the proposed additional funding of $1million is approved, it would enable the shelter to operate through March 2025. Following this, the city plans to repurpose the Marshalling Yard back to its initial function as a satellite staging and storage location for the convention center, coinciding with the center’s redevelopment plans. Meanwhile, the city staff will continue to assess the local homeless response system once the Marshalling Yard shelter ceases operations.