AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin has launched a new text message alert system for unhoused residents to receive emergency updates directly on their cellphones.
Austin Public Health's Homeless Strategy Division launched the service on Wednesday, Oct. 25, with inaugural alerts sent to more than 3,500 residents in preparation for rainy and chilly conditions.
“Emergency weather text alerts are not only vital but can be the difference between life and death for individuals experiencing homelessness,” said Adrienne Sturrup, Austin Public Health director. “These alerts serve as their first line of defense against the unforgiving forces of nature. When a storm, extreme cold or sweltering heat strike, a simple text message can mean the opportunity to find shelter, access warming centers or be aware of life-threatening conditions.”
The messages help provide information about services such as pop-up clinics and cold weather shelters, the City said.
“Importantly, during a significant event that limits the City of Austin’s capacity to provide in-person welfare checks to a multitude of unhoused residents, two-way communication capabilities can be activated to support remote engagement, improved situational awareness and prioritized response,” said Charles Loosen, the Homeless Strategy Division's community engagement consultant.
The City plans to launch an educational campaign focused on enrolling unhoused Austinites with mobile phones in the program. Outreach teams will be posting flyers with QR codes to sign up for the alert system, the City announced.
The City encourages all residents – regardless of their housing status – to sign up for Warn Central Texas emergency notifications at www.warncentraltexas.org.