Travis County Poised To House Homeless

AUSTIN, TX — Guided by the premise that "ending homelessness begins with a home," officials are poised to stage a ribbon-cutting and community celebration next week marking completion of Central Texas' first-of-its-kind housing community utilizing a unique, multi-faceted model.

Integral Care, Travis County’s Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority, is hosting a series of events to celebrate Terrace at Oak Springs on Monday, Sept. 23. As much as its blueprints, the effort is informed by a model that takes into account support recovery from homelessness that takes in mental health issues and substance use disorder, officials explained.

Among the scheduled highlights showcased at the upcoming ceremony:

• Four-story, 40,000 square-foot apartment community with 50 fully-furnished single occupancy efficiency units.
• Permanent supportive housing for 50 people experiencing homelessness in Travis County, half of which will be veterans.
• Integrated health care clinic, offering primary health care and mental health care for adults, including support for substance use disorder; open to people in community eligible for Integral Care services; other ongoing supports for residents include employment and wellness services and assistance accessing benefits.
• Developed on the principles of the “Housing First” model, where people on the streets are more successful recovering from mental illness and substance use if they first have a safe place to live.

Scheduled speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony include Integral Care officials including CEO David Evans, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, William Buster of St. David’s Foundation, Deputy Executive Commissioner Sonja Gaines of Texas Health and Human Services, and representative of Central Texas Veterans health Care System.

WHAT: Terrace at Oak Springs Ribbon Cutting

WHERE: 3000 Oak Springs Dr.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to noon Ribbon cutting ceremony, tours for donors, elected officials, partners, invited guests. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., a community celebration will be launched. Members of the public are invited to get a first-hand look at Terrace at Oak Springs, with tours, free pizza and snow cones, arts and crafts for kids.