City Of Austin To Host Panel Series With Local Leaders On Homelessness

The City of Austin will present the Homelessness in Austin panel series during the National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 15 – 21, 2020).

Featuring leaders from more than ten homeless-serving agencies and organizations, the conversations will explore the causes of homelessness, current programs in action, and what’s coming next to address the crisis in our community.
 
“Our community of service providers, stakeholders and government partners are working overtime to support people experiencing homelessness across our city,” Assistant City Manager Chris Shorter said. “This series is an opportunity for residents of Austin and Travis County to get good information about what is happening in our community from trusted and respected sources. The greater the understanding, trust and connections across the City, the more opportunities we will have to create solutions that work for everyone.”
 
LifeWorks, an organization participating in the first panel, fearlessly advocates for youth and families finding their path to self-sufficiency.

For more than 25 years Executive Director Susan McDowell has led the organization as it navigated the changing landscape of youth homelessness and resources available to address needs.
 
“Earning the support and trust of the community in working to end youth homelessness is a critical piece in solving this complex social issue,” McDowell, said. “To do this, we have to begin with a shared understanding of the root causes of homelessness, and continue to build great partnerships with other public and private agencies that have the same goal in mind.”

Austin PBS journalist Judy Maggio is moderating the second panel, which explores the efforts currently underway to address homelessness. 

“The visibility of homelessness is one of many changes and challenges the city is facing as it continues to grow. We’ve been told addressing the problem is a top priority, but we’ve also seen camps move and multiply around Austin. We need opportunities like this to bring vital, diverse voices together to not only look at the root causes of homelessness but to search for lasting solutions.”
 
Each panel, listed below, will air at noon on ATXN 1 and www.facebook.com/austintexasgov. Information about the panels and all follow-up materials will be listed at austintexas.gov/homelessness-get-involved.
 
Schedule:
Monday, 11/16 at Noon

• Understanding the Crisis and How We Got Here
• Featuring leaders from Austin Public Health, SAFE, Integral Care and LifeWorks; moderated by Kathryn Flowers of Dell Medical School.

Wednesday, 11/18 at Noon

• What’s Happening – Programs in Action
• Featuring Leaders from ECHO, The Other Ones Foundation, Homeless Outreach Street Team, The Office of Sustainability; moderated by Judy Maggio of Austin PBS.

Friday, 11/20 at Noon

• Innovations and What’s on the Horizon
• Featuring Leaders from Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Family Eldercare, UT School of Pharmacy and the City of Austin; moderated by Taylor Cook of the Design Institute for Health.