Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with the Youth and Family Alliance d/b/a Lifeworks to provide emergency shelter to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, for a 12-month term beginning on October 1, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $775,000.
De
Lead Department
Homeless Strategy Office.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $775,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Homeless Strategy Office Department’s Operating Budget.
For More Information:
David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer, 512-972-7836; Kelechukwu Anyanwu Jr, Program Manager III, 512-972-5136; Estella Kirscht, Administrative Specialist, 512-972-4423.
Additional Backup Information:
Lifeworks is an Austin-based nonprofit. They offer counseling, education, workforce training, street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional living, young parents’ program, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing. Lifeworks’ housing and community services offer a continuum of services for clients to help secure and maintain permanent housing upon exit.
Approval of this item will authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Lifeworks beginning on October 1, 2024, to provide emergency shelter to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Lifeworks’ Emergency Shelter is currently the only shelter serving minor youth in Austin and Travis County, with the closure of other youth shelter resources in the past year. As the only remaining youth shelter, Lifeworks has seen increased referrals and demand. Additional funds will allow Lifeworks to increase shelter bed capacity from 15 to 20. Lifeworks anticipates serving 60 youth in the coming year, an increase from 46 this year. These funds will also allow a better arrangement of rooms and beds, improving Lifeworks’ ability to serve gender diverse youth and minors. If authorization of the agreement is not approved, then it will limit the provision of emergency shelter services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.