Amid calls from activists and some Austin City Councilmembers to reconsider a planned closure of the Salvation Army’s downtown shelter, an agreement has been reached to keep the shelter’s doors open for an additional 30 days. Due to a need for consolidation, the Salvation Army announced in February it would need to close on March 15.
The extension will cost up to $100,000, funded by the city. In the meantime, the organization will coordinate with the city’s Homeless Strategy Division and other service partners to facilitate relocation.
“Addressing this crisis in such a short period of time has only been possible through the collaboration and creativity of our community partners – over a dozen of whom have stepped forward to offer shelter beds, housing, and other resources,” Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey said. “We also appreciate the willingness of The Salvation Army to extend operations to allow for a more thoughtful transition.”
Current residents of the downtown location will likely be housed in a variety of settings, including local shelters, apartments, transitional housing programs, board and care homes, and, if needed, hotel stays, the city says.
