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Council hears calls to fund Homelessness Strategy Office; TRE scenarios outline options
Summary
Speakers and staff urged more ongoing funding for outreach, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing; city staff outlined a multiscenario tax-rate election framework where larger scenarios (≈5¢) fund the full HSO plan.
Austin City Council members heard more than two hours of public testimony and staff briefings on July 23 about funding needs for the city’s response to unsheltered homelessness and how a possible tax rate election could pay for that work.
Director David Gray and other speakers said the Office of Homeless Strategies and Operations (HSO) needs additional ongoing resources to staff outreach, preserve shelter capacity and expand rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing. Gray told the council the proposed fiscal 2026 budget includes $51.5 million for HSO — including about $36.4 million in social-service contracts — and adds 12 positions for outreach and encampment management, plus ongoing funding for the Eighth Street shelter and one‑time support for the Marshall Yard.
The council heard from housing advocates and providers who said the proposed baseline budget is not sufficient to implement HSO’s full staff plan and the…
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