The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office unveiled a draft strategic plan outlining priorities through fiscal year 2027, aiming to guide investments and achieve measurable outcomes in homelessness response. The plan was presented during a city council work session Tuesday and is expected to undergo further revisions before adoption.
David Gray, director of the Homeless Strategy Office, said the plan “builds on what’s working, scales what’s proven, and stays accountable to measurable results.” He emphasized that while the city has made progress, additional goals must be set to ensure long-term success.
The plan focuses on five key areas: system leadership, impactful community investments, crisis response management, communications, and staff development. Proposed actions include:
- Securing new public and private funding
- Implementing a citywide outreach coordination plan
- Expanding shelter capacity by 650 beds
- Establishing two housing navigation centers
- Producing an annual report
- Hosting quarterly townhall meetings for providers and stakeholders
Gray highlighted that the initiatives aim to move individuals from homelessness to stable housing while ensuring accountability for taxpayer dollars. Some efforts, such as the Homeless Encampment Management Dashboard, are already underway.
Council members requested more detail on mental and behavioral health initiatives and a deeper analysis of permanent housing investments. Officials plan to present an updated version of the plan in late March for potential adoption.