Housing

The Youth Resource Center is open Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m., to 4 p.m., and is located at 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road.

Walk-up services are available for those who are 26 and younger experiencing homelessness.

Services include food and water, hygiene items, housing navigation, Coordinated Assessments (paused until further notice), camping gear, help with identification documents, a mailing address, program referrals, and more.

Call/text 512-473-9125 or e-mail street.outreach@lifeworksaustin.org to connect with the YRC.

FOR MINORS: LifeWorks offers Emergency Shelter to those experiencing homelessness who are 17 or younger (or 18 and still in care).

Call 512-735-2100 and ask for the Emergency Shelter to check eligibility.

COLD WEATHER: LifeWorks offers shelter to those 26 or younger experiencing homelessness when the city activates a Cold Weather Shelter (when the overnight temperature is expected to be at or below 32 degrees or at or below 35 degrees with rain or high winds).

To see if the city activates a Cold Weather Shelter, call the city’s Cold Weather hotline at 512-305-4233.

For more information on LifeWorks Cold Weather Shelters, visit the YRC on Facebook or Instagram, or call 512-473-9125.

If you are 18 or older and seeking shelter, check this list of local shelters.

LifeWorks has a variety of housing programs. These programs include:

• Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH)

• Transitional Living Program (TLP)

• Diversion

• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

To be considered for these programs, you must:

1. Be 24 or younger (21 or younger for YPP/TLP)

2. Be experiencing homelessness* within Travis County

3. Complete a Coordinated Assessment

*You must meet the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Category 1: “Literally Homeless” or Category 4: ”Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence” definitions of homelessness. Visit here for more information on these definitions.

The Coordinated Assessment (CA) is an evaluation process that tells the homeless response system someone has a need for housing. Once complete, you will be placed on a citywide housing prioritization list where you could be pulled for different housing opportunities with agencies like LifeWorks. This list is a living document, so your place may shift as those more vulnerable are assessed.

Therefore, this process could take anywhere from over a month to over a year depending on vulnerability and program capacity, so no official timeline can be given. Additionally, completing the assessment does not guarantee housing or financial assistance.

Coordinated Assessments can be completed at LifeWorks and other agencies by trained assessors. You can find more information about the CA and assessment locations here.

To learn more about LifeWorks housing programs call 512-473-9125.

If you can identify an adult host who could potentially provide you with safe and stable housing, you may be eligible for our Diversion program or family reunification. Call 512-473-9125 to check eligibility and options.

If you are 17.5-20 and aged out of (or currently in) foster care in Texas and reside in Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Region 7 (see map), you may be eligible for Aftercare Transitional Services (ACTS).

Call 512-735-2100 and ask to enroll in ACTS to check eligibility.

ACTS offers case management services, which include one-on-one services supporting you in any goals you have, as well as housing navigation, housing/utility and food financial support, assistance with education and employment services, and health/wellness services.

The Works at Pleasant Valley is a community of affordable housing units managed by an outside property management company. These units are available to the community, as well as designated for youth and young adults enrolled in various LifeWorks housing programs (see “Looking for housing?”).

For information about the affordable housing units available to the community, call The Works leasing office at 512-284-9369.

Visit 211 Texas or call 2-1-1.

Visit findhelp.

Visit ConnectATX or call 833-512-2289.

Aftercare Transitional Services (ACTS): ACTS is a case management program designed to assist youth transitioning out of the foster care system to achieve independence as adults in the community. The program helps individuals establish a home, obtain employment, access health care, manage money, exhibit personal and interpersonal responsibility, and plan for the future.

Must be 17.5-20 and aged out of (or currently in) foster care in Texas.

Diversion: Diversion is designed to divert youth from homelessness and intensive housing services. The program works with youth who might be involved with juvenile justice, child welfare, or public-school systems. The program connects youth to supportive services and, if needed, financial assistance to allow youth to stabilize their housing crisis, stay connected to current systems of support, and build permanent connections to ensure long-term stability.

Must be 24 or younger.

Emergency Shelter: LifeWorks operates a 24-hour walk-in emergency shelter for youth in Travis County who are victims of abuse, abandonment, violence, or homelessness. Youth stay weeks or months depending on need and are provided comprehensive case management services, with an emphasis on moving toward self-sufficiency. The Emergency Shelter has the capacity to serve 20 youth, is staffed 24/7, and is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Must be 17 or younger (or 18 and still in care).

Permanent Supported Housing (PSH): PSH provides on-site case management and Independent Living Skills classes to young adults for as long as they are residents of LifeWorks apartments. Clients work one-on-one with a case manager on goals that include maintaining their apartments, independent living skills, education, employment, and budgeting.

Must be 24 or younger and complete a Coordinated Assessment.

Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH): RRH provides on-site case management and group services for young adults and their children for up to two years. Clients work individually with a case manager on goals that include affordable housing, education, employment, budgeting, and debt management.

Must be 24 or younger and complete a Coordinated Assessment.

Street Outreach: The Street Outreach program is the first step in the LifeWorks continuum of housing services. Street Outreach serves runaway, homeless, street-dependent, and at-risk youth and young adults with an array of services focused on reducing the risks of street life. When youth come to Street Outreach, staff members work with each client to identify and address their basic needs. These requests include food, clothing, shelter, hygiene supplies, and often just someone to listen to them. Street Outreach also operates the Youth Resource Center.

Must be 26 or younger and experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Transitional Living Program (TLP): The TLP is an 18-month group-based residential program that serves youth that is supervised by staff 24/7. TLP provides wrap-around case management services with the goal of co-creating a path to self-supported housing at the end of the program. Each youth works with a case manager to establish a plan focusing on education, obtaining & maintaining employment, budgeting, housekeeping, community resources, and other goals.

Must be 18-21 years old and complete a Coordinated Assessment.

Young Parents Program (YPP): YPP is an 18-month apartment-based transitional housing program that provides rental and utility assistance for young pregnant or parenting youth and their dependents (children). Each youth works with a case manager to establish a plan focusing on education, obtaining & maintaining employment and childcare, budgeting, housekeeping, community resources, and other goals. Parenting and life skills classes are also offered weekly and attendance is required.

Must be 18-21 years old and complete a Coordinated Assessment.

Please go here to fill out a form for maintenance requests if you are a resident living at The Works Apartments: http://theworks.lifeworksaustin.org/.