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 experiencing homelessness, for a 13-month term, beginning September 1, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $200,000. Funding: $200,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Homeless Strategy Office Social Services Contracts Budget.
De
Lead Department
Homeless Strategy Office.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $200,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Homeless Strategy Office Social Services Contracts Budget.
For More Information:
David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer, 512-972-7836; Kelechukwu Anyanwu Jr, Program Manager III, 512-972-5136; Estella Kirscht, Department Executive Assistant, 512-972-4423.
Additional Backup Information:
Youth homelessness has surged sharply in recent years. According to Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data, the number of unaccompanied individuals under 25 experiencing homelessness in Travis County has nearly quadrupled since 2020-from just 247 to approximately 934 as of late 2024. These young people often remain hidden, couch-surfing, sleeping in vehicles, or spending time in public spaces-making outreach and support especially challenging. Additionally, two-thirds of these youth are connected to foster care or juvenile justice systems, indicating high vulnerability and trauma exposure.
Youth-specific emergency shelters serve as a critical first point of entry for vulnerable young people, offering trauma-informed support tailored to their unique developmental, educational, and emotional needs. Youth-focused environments are designed to foster safety, trust, and stability-providing low-barrier access to necessities like food, hygiene, and a safe place to sleep. Just as important, they create a foundation for long-term stability by connecting youth to housing navigation, mental health care, education and employment support, and caring adult rel...
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