The city of Austin announced the Homeless Strategy Division, presently under Austin Public Health, is slated to become a standalone office. This strategic transformation will take effect on December 4, 2023.
To begin with the details of this significant development, Effective Dec. 4, 2023, the city of Austin will undergo a reorganization, establishing the Homeless Strategy Office, led by David Gray in his promoted role as the Homeless Strategy Officer. This newly formed office will manage various aspects of homelessness response, including overseeing contracts, City-run shelters, housing expansion efforts, public space management, communication strategies, intergovernmental relations and engagement with community partners.
Highlighting the rationale behind this organizational change, "As a City, our goal is to set the standard for innovative and strategic approaches to addressing homelessness and strengthening partnerships with the broad base of stakeholders who care about and invest in this issue," said Gray according to a press release by the city of Austin. "Creating this stand-alone office and positioning it to marshal resources from many fronts is a strong indicator of the commitment and dedication of city leaders to helping people experiencing homelessness and providing them with hope and help when they need it most."
In addition to managing several aspects related to homelessness response, The Homeless Strategy Office will aid a joint independent assessment reviewing not only the City's homeless services but also those of partner organizations like Central Health Integral Care Travis County and The Dell Medical School at The University of Texas in Austin. Jesús Garza Interim City Manager emphasized the need for this dedicated office in response to inadequacies of current organizational structure in addressing critical priority of homelessness according to press release by city of Austin.
Expressing his perspective on the need for a dedicated Homeless Strategy Office, "While the Homeless Strategy Division was embedded within one department, the initiatives to address homelessness span multiple departments and require focused coordination," said Garza according to press release by city of Austin. "Consequently, I am establishing a stand-alone Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) to serve as focal point for addressing homelessness comprehensively strategically and compassionately."