Marshalling Yard homeless shelter gets 8-month extension approval by council

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin City Council unanimously approved an eight-month extension contract for an additional $500,000 for the City of Austin’s Marshalling Yard shelter. That contract is with Endeavors, an organization that operates emergency temporary shelter for the homeless community.

The original agreement was that the extension would include $9.64 million, the city said in a news release Thursday.

Back in July 2023, the council approved the use of the facility, which is now known as the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter. The facility provides shelter daily to 300 clients, Austin’s Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray said in the release.

Austin City Council could extend contract for Marshalling Yard homeless shelter

The facility provides daily transportation services, three meals per day, laundry services, showering facilities and more, according to the city.

According to the city, the facility has provided shelter to 596 clients. The Marshalling Yard wants to reach a yearly goal of serving 800 people experiencing homelessness.

Earlier this week, Gray discussed the extension at a work session of the council with the “most current data available.” According to that data, the city needs 815 permanent shelter beds for those staying in the facility without children. There are currently 200 beds, which leaves a gap of 615 beds, according to the city.

Gray also said 20% of clients who left the facility “exited positively, meaning they left the shelter to move into housing.”

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