Dear Friends,

With Austin Street Center originating as a shelter for men ages 45 and up, our organization recognizes the month of May as Older Americans Month and is tuned in to the root causes that drive homelessness for seniors in our community.

According to an article published by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 20 percent of the homeless population in 2023 were aged 55 and older. Research also determined that individuals aged 50 and older are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness in the U.S. and this number is estimated to triple by 2030.

We've learned that when economic instability increases, such as the growing cost of housing, healthcare, and food, the risk of homelessness rises and older individuals are susceptible to losing their homes. Our team has unfortunately encountered many Austin Street clients in similar predicaments, such as shelter resident Mark N. who shared his unfortunate yet common story below.

What’s been brought to light is that Austin Street Center will be met with more clients in the future and we are firmly committed to the challenge. With funding from local foundations, events like our 9^th Annual No Place Like Home, and the collective generosity of individual donors, we are able to provide our clients with immediate shelter and lend resources that can transform their lives long-term.

As the summer begins, we ask that you think of Austin Street Center. We’ll again be faced with an influx of clients needing shelter from the sweltering heat, and donations such as clothing, hygiene products, food, and monetary funds are critical to ensure that all individuals receive the care they deserve.

With Gratitude,

Mark has lived at Austin Street since October 2023 and leaned on our employment resources to get himself back into the workforce. Mark shared, “it didn’t take me long to lose everything,” after suffering a stroke that landed him in the hospital for months, unable to return to his former job, and nowhere to go after his long hospital stay. He heard about Austin Street Center on TV but never thought he would have to reside in a shelter as he lived a comfortable life and held a stable career until his health crisis. Once he arrived at the shelter, he quickly leaned on case managers for job connections, and they helped him obtain his Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission & Food Handler’s certifications which allowed him to gain employment within sporting event concessions. To read Mark's full story, please visit our latest Annual Report here.

No Place Like Home Recap

Our 9th Annual No Place Like Home event took place on May 2 and our 2024 celebration was the most successful ever with our total revenue surpassing $250,000! The evening was emceed by NBC5's Laura Harris, catered by local steakhouse Nick & Sam's, and the guests were on their feet and captivated by the lively Signed, Sealed, and Delivered band.

We're especially grateful for the 40+ corporations and individuals who purchased sponsorships and tickets for the event. All funds raised will sustain our shelter, amplify our mission, and help provide basic needs for our homeless neighbors. ​

Austin Street is thrilled to announce that we will be adding 20 additional beds for women in our general shelter starting the week of June 24. The additional beds are part of our plan to expand capacity with a total of 60 new beds added for men and women through the end of the year.

Thanks in part to a gift from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, the new beds will mark a 14% increase in shelter capacity. This scaling of operations is critical as the shelter has been at or near capacity since January. We are so grateful to our community for supporting our mission.