On average, Austin spending $140K per unit on permanent supportive housing
AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Austin city council voted to move forward with a resolution that makes homelessness a funding priority for the city, housing staff updated council members on progress the city has made with one big piece of that puzzle — permanent supportive housing.
Permanent supportive housing typically targets people exiting homelessness with the greatest need. It provides people with wrap-around services like mental health treatment, case management and peer support.
$350M over 10 years: Austin City Council votes to prioritize homelessness spending
Some examples of permanent supportive housing projects include Pecan Gardens, the former hotel in northwest Austin that was converted into housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Another example is Espero at Rutland, which are apartments for people exiting homelessness. That has been open for roughly a year.
Housing staff said in a public health committee meeting this week that there are currently 480 'site-based' permanent supportive housing units in operation in Austin. There are nearly 900 additional in the pipeline for the next few years, staff reported. That makes 1,345 total permanent supportive housing units either in operation or in the pipeline.
'I just tallied all of those up and that is the result of $137.2 million of investment by the city of Austin into this permanent supportive housing. On average, it's about $140,000 per PSH unit and that represents over 1,100 units of PSH,' Interim Housing Director Mandy DeMayo said.
That funding primarily comes from General Obligation bonds, according to DeMayo, though there are some additional funding sources in that mix. It doesn't include the funding required to provide services or operations.
'We need folks to continue to focus on services. I always say if you build it they will come, but if you don't provide the support they won't stay,' said Marlene Buchanan, Director of Systems of Care at Integral Care, Austin-Travis County's mental health authority. She addressed the city council's resolution when she talked to KXAN about the $14 million in federal dollars granted to Austin-area groups working to address homelessness.
A report from ECHO modeling Austin-Travis County homelessness, which included a look at how many permanent supportive housing units are needed to meet 'functional zero,' shows the city needs 4,175 additional units. According to the report, that could cost nearly $217.5 million.
'The need and the scale that we have here in Austin, the city just can't fund it alone,' Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes said. 'We had a public health committee meeting and we continue to receive updates on the permanent supportive housing piece so it's certainly something that we will continue to talk about.'
Even though that price tag is high, groups that provide permanent supportive housing resources say the city may actually spend more on people experiencing homelessness should they not fund housing and services.
$350M over 10 years: Austin City Council votes to prioritize homelessness spending
'The return on investment of keeping the individuals out of emergency rooms, out of hospitals, out of psychiatric care is phenomenal. So here at Integral Care we do a lot of return on investment analysis and we see a cost savings of often over $1 million for these PSH projects,' Buchanan said.
That sentiment was echoed in a report published by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO, which was shared by Travis County Judge Andy Brown at a news conference on homelessness funding last week.
According to Brown, over the span of roughly five years in Austin-Travis County, more than 360 people experiencing homelessness died in a hospital. The report showed the cost for those people's medical care in the year before their death was collectively more than $11 million.
Brown said the money used for that care could have funded more than 80% of the permanent supportive housing services or rent required for the same group of people.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Blue Sky Scrubs Celebrates World Environment Day With Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation in Medical Apparel
Austin, TX - June 9, 2025 - Blue Sky Scrubs, a trailblazer in stylish and functional medical apparel, proudly joins the global community in celebrating World Environment Day 2025, reaffirming its dedication to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and conscious innovation. As a Texas-based company serving healthcare professionals nationwide, Blue Sky Scrubs is using this moment to highlight its eco-friendly initiatives and share its vision for a greener future in the healthcare industry. World Environment Day, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is celebrated every year on June 5 to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. This year's theme, 'Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration,' underscores the urgent need to restore damaged ecosystems, combat desertification, and promote sustainable land management practices. Blue Sky Scrubs embraces this call by focusing on sustainability throughout its supply chain and product lifecycle. 'At Blue Sky Scrubs, we believe that healthcare doesn't stop at the hospital doors—it extends to how we care for the planet we all share,' said David Marquardt, Founder and CEO of Blue Sky Scrubs. 'We are proud to integrate environmentally conscious practices into our products and operations, and World Environment Day is a perfect occasion to reaffirm our commitment.' Sustainable Fabrics and Manufacturing From the beginning, Blue Sky Scrubs has prioritized high-quality, long-lasting materials that reduce the need for frequent replacement, ultimately minimizing waste. Over the past year, the company has expanded its eco-fabric collection, featuring blends made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, and sustainably harvested bamboo fibers. These materials are not only soft and breathable but also significantly reduce the environmental footprint associated with conventional textile production. The company has also partnered with low-impact dyeing facilities that use less water and produce less waste. Compared to traditional dyeing processes, this method reduces water consumption by up to 60% and energy usage by 40%, aligning with Blue Sky's goal of reducing its overall carbon emissions. Eco-Conscious Packaging As part of its sustainability overhaul, Blue Sky Scrubs recently transitioned to fully recyclable and biodegradable packaging. All online orders now arrive in recycled kraft mailers or compostable bags, sealed with water-based adhesives and printed using soy-based ink. Even the tags attached to Blue Sky products are made from post-consumer paper and are fully recyclable. This packaging shift has resulted in a 60% reduction in plastic waste from customer orders since 2023—a tangible impact that resonates with the company's environmentally-minded customers. 'It's not just about what we make, but how we deliver it,' said Angela Nguyen, Director of Product Development. 'Our customers care about the planet, and we're proud to support their values through every aspect of our business.' Green Office and Local Initiatives Blue Sky Scrubs has implemented a variety of green practices at its Austin headquarters, including a paperless office initiative, a comprehensive recycling program, energy-efficient lighting, and on-site composting. The company also offsets a portion of its energy use through the purchase of renewable energy credits from Texas-based wind farms. This World Environment Day, Blue Sky employees participated in a community tree planting event in partnership with TreeFolks, an Austin nonprofit dedicated to reforestation and urban greening. Over 100 native trees were planted along a stretch of greenbelt near South Austin, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to the city's heat mitigation efforts. 'We are proud to be an Austin-grown brand, and we want to be a good neighbor,' said Marquardt. 'Supporting our local environment is part of how we give back.' Education and Empowerment As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and education, Blue Sky Scrubs launched a new digital series titled 'Scrubs With a Conscience' earlier this year. The blog and video series explore sustainability topics in the healthcare apparel industry, spotlight eco-conscious materials, and provide tips for healthcare professionals looking to reduce their environmental impact—both at work and at home. The company also released its first Annual Sustainability Report this month, which outlines progress on key environmental metrics, including reductions in water usage, energy consumption, packaging waste, and emissions. Available online, the report is part of Blue Sky's effort to hold itself accountable while inspiring others in the industry to follow suit. Looking Ahead: Circular Fashion Goals Blue Sky Scrubs is already looking to the future with plans to expand its garment recycling program, allowing customers to return used scrubs for responsible recycling or repurposing. The initiative, currently in pilot stage, aims to divert textile waste from landfills and explore opportunities for closed-loop manufacturing. Additionally, the company is investing in design for durability, creating apparel with modular components and reinforced seams that extend product life. These forward-thinking designs will be a core part of Blue Sky's upcoming 2026 Sustainable Essentials Collection, which is slated for launch later this year. 'Our goal is to be a leader not just in style and comfort, but in environmental responsibility,' said Nguyen. 'Every scrub we create should contribute to a healthier planet as well as a healthier patient.' A Shared Responsibility World Environment Day serves as a vital reminder that collective action is key to solving the planet's greatest environmental challenges. Blue Sky Scrubs invites healthcare workers, business leaders, and customers alike to reflect on how everyday choices—from what we wear to how we work—can contribute to a more sustainable future. 'We're proud of the steps we've taken,' Marquardt concluded, 'but there's always more to do. Blue Sky Scrubs is committed to walking this path—thoughtfully, responsibly, and side by side with our community.' To learn more about Blue Sky Scrubs' sustainability initiatives, visit or follow the conversation on social media using #BlueSkyGreen and #GenerationRestoration. Media Contact Company Name: Blue Sky Scrubs Contact Person: Azu Aguilera Email: Send Email Phone: 888-302-5837 Address:2209 Donely Dr. City: Austin State: Texas Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Blue Sky Scrubs Celebrates World Environment Day With Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation in Medical Apparel
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
Hungry bear breaks into nursing home, gets walloped with walker before being lured out with Rice Krispies treats
His stomach was growling for geezers! A hungry black bear broke into a Pittsburgh-area nursing home and wreaked havoc — forcing a caretaker to whack him with a walker while others coaxed him with Rice Krispies treats, workers said Friday. 'I grabbed a walker and was hitting him, trying to get him away from the residents,' nursing assistant Charlene Elliot told CBS News. Advertisement A young black bear broke into St. Andrew's Village, a nursing home located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, leading a caretaker to whack the animal before other members of the building coaxed him with Rice Krispies treats. WPXI-TV News Pittsburgh '[I thought] he's going to maul them or swipe, slap at them. That was my worst fear.' The ballsy young bruin smashed through a window at St. Andrew's Village in Indiana, Pennsylvania, at 11 p.m. Tuesday, and made a b-line for an elderly resident's bed, Elliott said. Advertisement 'I was sitting there at our nurse's station and I heard a big crash,' Elliott told Channel 11. 'Going through my mind was, 'Get the thing out of here!'' The un-bear-able burglar high-tailed it down a hallway into several bedrooms — at one point coming nearly nose-to-nose with an elderly resident, Elliott told the station. 'He could have mauled him. I mean, one swipe,' Elliott said. Advertisement The bear made its way into the nursing home at around 11 p.m. Tuesday and made a b-line for a resident's bed, said nursing assistant Charlene Elliot. WPXI-TV News Pittsburgh 'I told them all to shut the doors. Get the doors all shut!' Meanwhile, another resident offered the critter a sandwich in an attempt to lure him out of the building. 'She's like 'Well, go ahead and give it my sandwich!' and I'm like, 'No, we can't do that!' Elliott said. Advertisement Staffers eventually succeeded at shooing the animal out of the center using the lure of Rice Krispies treats, she said. All told, the 150-pound bear was inside the retirement home for about 15 minutes and nobody was injured. Wildlife officials later captured the bear using a trap, set up with donuts, Thursday morning. 'We are incredibly proud of our team's quick thinking and dedication to ensuring the safety of everyone in our community,' Presbyterian Senior Living, which runs the home, said in a press release.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
How many drowning deaths happen per year in Travis County? What prevention resources are there?
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin area has several bodies of water that people use for recreational activities like kayaking and swimming, which see an uptick in the warmer months. But with an increase in outdoor activity comes an increase in tragedies caused by accidents. Earlier this week, a teenage boy's body was recovered from Lady Bird Lake after investigators said he was 'unknowingly standing near an underwater shelf' when he slipped and did not resurface. Last week, another young boy died following an eighth grade graduation celebration at Dick Nichols Park. 'It's deadly': The risks of drowning and knowing how to save a life Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and it's the second leading cause of accidental injury for children ages 5-14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. KXAN looked at the number of accidental deaths caused by drowning, as reported by the Travis County Medical Examiner's annual reports over the last 10 years. By the numbers, Travis County saw the lowest number of drownings last year, compared to the other years within the last decade. According to the reports, the following number of accidental death drownings happened during the following years: 2024: 17 2023: 22 2022: 28 2021: 34 2020: 19 2019: 27 2018: 21 2017: 24 2016: 23 2015: 20 2014: 19 The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services also tracks child drowning deaths throughout the state. According to that agency, 22 children drowned in Texas so far this year. There are several water safety training programs in the Austin area. The city of Austin has an injury prevention page and a water safety page on its website. The city provides training and certifications for city-hired lifeguards. MAP: Tracking deaths in Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin Aquatic Management of Austin also offers lifeguard training through two different courses -Lifeguarding, Full Certification (for new lifeguards), and Lifeguarding Recertification, for those who need to renew their current certification. Greater Austin YMCA, in collaboration with Colin's Hope, works to provide children with safety, aquatics, and fitness education. It's called Project SAFE, which stands for Safety, Aquatics and Fitness Education. The American Red Cross has several water safety certification programs and safety tips online. Goldfish Swim School has several indoor children's swim lessons and programs for children ages 4 months and up, and it offers safe swimming presentations to children in participating daycare centers, schools, and other educational facilities at no cost. UT Recreational Sports also has lifeguard certification classes for enrolled UT students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
