Downtown Commission urges Austin City Council to fund 24 hour OASIS access

The Austin Downtown Commission convened on August 20, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding homelessness in the city, focusing specifically on the OASIS program. The meeting began with a detailed recommendation regarding the need for 24-hour access to the OASIS, a facility designed to provide a safe outdoor space for unhoused individuals.

The commission highlighted that nearly one in three people experiencing homelessness in Austin-Travis County are chronically homeless. The city has prioritized alleviating homelessness and has adopted a state homelessness response system report to guide investments in services. The report indicates a significant increase in the number of individuals seeking homelessness services, a trend expected to continue.

The OASIS, located on the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless campus, currently operates from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. However, the commission noted that during weekend evenings, the area sees an influx of patrons from nearby bars and restaurants, leaving many unhoused individuals without a safe place to go after hours. The proposal discussed at the meeting called for extending the OASIS's hours to provide overnight refuge on Friday and Saturday nights, which would require an annual funding of $75,000.

Commission members expressed strong support for the resolution, emphasizing the importance of the OASIS in improving hygiene, health outcomes, and access to services for the unhoused population. One member raised the possibility of expanding the OASIS's hours to seven days a week in the future, suggesting that the resolution could include language to explore this option.

The commission ultimately recommended that the Austin City Council pass a resolution directing the city manager to allocate the necessary funds for the extended hours. The discussions underscored a commitment to addressing homelessness in a compassionate and effective manner, with the OASIS serving as a vital resource in the community. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of the initiative and a call for further exploration of long-term solutions to homelessness in Austin.