Advocacy
Homelessness
Advancing innovative, caring solutions to unsheltered homelessness.
Reducing unsheltered homelessness is complicated. It requires a systems approach where we have the right balance of housing and services, as well as street outreach, to connect people to resources. The Downtown Austin Alliance has been a longtime advocate for improved policies, planning, and implementation of research-based programs. We also spearhead and directly fund many innovative new approaches to addressing this issue.
See Our Full Advocacy Agenda⟶Our Homelessness Advocacy Priorities
HEART Austin
In May 2025, City Council approved $440,000 in ongoing funding and $920,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support a year-round program across the entire Downtown Public Improvement District (DPID). The Downtown Austin Alliance continues to provide additional funding for increased outreach services in the DPID to actively address needs with housing-focused resources.
Learn More About HEART⟶Increasing Funding
We advocate for securing additional local, state, federal, and private funding for non-congregate shelter and emergency services and services needed to sustain permanent supportive housing projects.
Improving Our Homelessness Response System
We advocagte to actively coordinate with public, private, and nonprofit partners to improve the system and its capacities at all levels. The system must help prevent homelessness and provide key services such as outreach, emergency shelter, temporary housing, and permanent supportive housing (PSH).