AUSTIN, Texas — Recently, Travis County commissioners granted $7.2 million to build permanent supportive housing for victims of violence that one nonprofit says often results in homelessness.
The SAFE Alliance, a nonprofit that helps domestic violence, sexual and child abuse and human trafficking victims, said there are many reasons why someone can become homeless, but they often have one thing in common.
"Frequently, trauma was at the core of creating their homelessness," SAFE Alliance CEO Julia Spann said.
According to Spann, domestic violence can also contribute to the problem.
“You were forced to flee your home in order to be safe and to keep your families safe,” Spann said.
Spann said shelters don't always work for families, and traditional housing isn't always permanent. People and families need somewhere to go somewhere. Spann said SAFE Alliance has a plan.
“We're building what's called permanent supportive housing, and that's housing for victims of violence,” Spann said.
It's called the Lancaster and is a 60-unit, five-story, affordable apartment complex off of 51st Street on Lancaster Court. Everything about it keeps victims and their healing in mind, down to the colors of the place.
Spann said supportive services will also be offered like case managers for each resident, peer support led by trauma survivors and more.
"It’s a great neighborhood that has transit, parks and schools and places to eat and medical services," Spann said. "It’s a wonderful location."
Spann said the SAFE Alliance is part of a collaboration called the Supportive Housing Initiative Pipeline (SHIP). Travis County commissioners will loan around $110 million to nonprofits building "deeply" affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
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More than 2,00 new affordable units will be built through SHIP. The Lancaster is getting $7.2 million to complete the project.
Spann said this kind of housing is the first step to healing.
“We believe housing is violence prevention, that housing is homelessness prevention. And it's a privilege to get to do work to prevent both those conditions," Spann said.
Because they have been able to get housing vouchers from the Housing Authority, Spann said many residents will be able to live at the Lancaster rent-free. SAFE Alliance will target folks who live 50% below the area median income.
"Somebody has to have been homeless and go through, in our town, what’s called the coordinated entry system. It’s a system for people who are unhoused to apply and then providers go into that list and, based on our service population, are able to reach out to people on the list,” Spann said.
The Lancaster breaks ground next month and will be complete in 2026.