Homelessness in Austin

Homelessness in Austin

"We estimate at least 6,235 people experienced homelessness in Austin or Travis County on a single day in May 2024."

The statistics show a growing crisis that requires coordinated response from the community and government agencies.

Source: Austin ECHO

It Directly Impacts Austinites

"The majority of people experiencing homelessness in Austin (59%) were either born or raised here or were permanently housed in our community."

This statistic challenges the misconception that homelessness primarily affects people from outside the community.

Source: Austin ECHO

The Problem is Worsening

"Overall, the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased in Austin and Travis County. Between 2020 and 2024, the number nearly doubled, jumping from 3,194 people living on the streets on any given day to 6,358."

The dramatic increase indicates that current measures are insufficient to address the growing crisis.

Source: Austin Monitor

Youth Homelessness

"Since 2020, the number of people under 25 years old without permanent housing and not under the care of a parent or legal guardian has nearly quadrupled, jumping from 247 people to 934."

Youth homelessness presents unique challenges and requires specialized interventions.

Source: Austin Monitor

Invisible Homelessness

"In 2021, the annual Homeless Point-In-Time Count identified 3,160 people experiencing homelessness in the Austin area, but it's estimated that over 10,000 people access homeless services over the course of a year."

Many experiencing homelessness remain unseen - from families living in cars to youth aging out of foster care.

Source: Caritas of Austin

Data Collection

"The local survey is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which uses the data collected to gauge the extent of homelessness in communities throughout the country."

Accurate data is critical for funding allocations and effective strategy development to address homelessness.

Source: KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station

Personal Risk Factors

Life challenges can add to a person's risk, including:

• Medical bills
• Substance abuse
• Job loss
• Divorce
• Domestic violence
• Death of a family member
• Mental health obstacles

Source: Austin ECHO

Austin's Housing Problem

"Austin simply doesn't have enough apartments for people ending their homelessness. In 2022, our partners connected 1,959 households to a place to live; about 4,000 households took a housing assessment for the first time that year."

A critical housing shortage makes it difficult for people to exit homelessness even when services are available.

Source: Austin ECHO

Institutional Factors

"Many people experiencing homelessness have prior involvement with or are exiting directly from publicly funded institutional systems, including child welfare and foster care, juvenile and adult corrections, long-term care, health, and mental health and substance use treatment facilities."

Systemic gaps in support when transitioning from institutions contribute significantly to homelessness.

Source: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

Economic Conditions

"We've increased our shelter capacity quite substantially, but that's come along with an increase in rents, and cost-burdened households continue to increase in our community."

Rising housing costs outpace income growth, putting more people at risk of housing instability.

Source: KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station

Housing Development

"From now through 2026, about 1,000 apartments of housing for people who have been homeless are set to open in Austin, including several conversions of hotels into apartment buildings. According to city numbers, that represents about a 600 percent increase in the number of homes for people who have struggled with homelessness."

Austin is making significant investments in creating permanent housing solutions, though demand still outpaces supply.

Source: Austin Monitor

Recent Progress and Challenges

"Austin has done a lot over the last couple of years to try to create more permanent housing. We've increased our shelter capacity quite substantially, but that's come along with an increase in rents, and cost-burdened households continue to increase in our community."

Despite progress in shelter capacity, rising housing costs continue to create challenges for long-term solutions.

Source: KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station

Youth

"Since 2020, the number of people under 25 years old without permanent housing and not under the care of a parent or legal guardian has nearly quadrupled, jumping from 247 people to 934."

Youth homelessness requires specialized approaches and often involves different risk factors than adult homelessness.

Source: Austin Monitor

Older Adults & People with Disabilities

"Poor housing conditions are shown to worsen health conditions—especially for older adults and people with disabilities—which in turn can lead to homelessness."

These populations face unique challenges with access to healthcare, transportation, and supportive services.

Source: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

Veterans

"Veterans are more likely than civilians to experience homelessness, especially if they have mental health conditions and/or have substance use disorders or disabilities that impact successful reintegration, particularly into the civilian workforce."

Veterans often face unique challenges related to PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and reintegration into civilian life.

Source: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

Invisible Homeless

"Only a fraction are the 'visible homeless' you may see on the street corners. The majority are people you don't see or consider, from families living in their car to young people aging out of the foster care system."

Many experiencing homelessness remain unseen and uncounted in official statistics.

Source: Caritas of Austin