==Homelessness==
In the southern part of the [[Red River Cultural District (Austin, Texas)|Red River Cultural District]], a block away from where East Seventh Street crosses Waller Creek (in an area the [[1839 Austin city plan]] labeled Block 88), sits "[Austin's] ''homeless epicenter''".<ref>{{Cite web |title=“We may expect nothing but shacks to be erected here”: An Environmental History of Downtown Austin’s Waterloo Park |url=https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/news/we-may-expect-nothing-but-shacks-to-be-erected-here-an-environmental-history-of-downtown-austin-s-waterloo-park |access-date=September 14, 2026 |website=liberalarts.utexas.edu |language=en |date=March 14, 2022 |first=Katherine |last=Pace}}</ref> A March 6, 1998 ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]'' article called the then burgeoning area a "''homeless hub''".<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1998 |title=Possible Caritas move could create homeless hub |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-homeless-hub/205955298/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A16}}</ref>
Homelessness has been a long standing grievance area business owners have had with the City of Austin.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1999 |title=Business owners push Waller Creek cleanup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-business-owner/206005798/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B1 |first=Andy |last=Alford}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1999 |title=Business owners push Waller Creek cleanup |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-business-owner/206005909/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B4 |first=Andy |last=Alford}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grumet |first=Bridget |date=July 5, 2018 |title=Grumet: How Waller Creek tax dollars could help the homeless |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/2018/07/05/grumet-how-waller-creek-tax-dollars-could-help-the-homeless/9944853007/ |access-date=September 15, 2026 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en}}</ref>
===History===
The area first became associated with the homeless in 1985 when the [[Salvation Army]] purchased a portion of Block 88 in anticipation of building a homeless shelter.<ref name="homelessSitePurchased">{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1985 |title=Salvation Army okays design for new headquarters |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205962946/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B9 |first=Steve |last=Reed}}</ref> The Salvation Army had previously had a shelter located at '''107 E. Second St''' from 1928 to 1980, however, that shelter was unable to keep up with the growing homeless population,<ref name="homelessConstructionComplete1988">{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1988 |title=Salvation Army's home fits the urban bill |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205958663/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B8 |first=Michael|last=McCullar}}</ref> so it was shuttered and sold, in December 1980, to fund the development of a 3.7 acre shelter next to [[St. Edward's University]].<ref name="homelessOpposition">{{Cite news |date=January 30, 1985 |title=St. Edward's calls Salvation Army site threat to students |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205962223/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B1 |first=Marcia |last=Bowman}}</ref> Amid significant opposition, those plans were scrapped and a citizen task force was then created in 1985. It's purpose was to assist the Salvation Army in location a suitable location and it's that task force identified the location that was ultimately chosen.<ref name="homelessSitePurchased"/> Other locations that had been considered and rejected due to opposition included a 5 acre plot of land in the [[Montopolis, Austin, Texas|Montpolis neighborhood]] and a 1 acre plot of land next to the [[Seaholm Power Plant]].<ref name="homelessOpposition"/> Even the location that was chosen was not without controversy<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 6, 1985 |title=Salvation Army options detailed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205962110/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A1 |first1=Steve |last1=Reed |first2=Tony |last2=Tucci}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 10, 1986 |title=Salvation Army jars neighbors as project nears |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/205962432/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B1 |first=Steve |last=Reed}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 10, 1983 |title=Salvation Army jars neighbors as project nears |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205962592/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B5 |first=Steve |last=Reed}}</ref>, however, in spite of that, a new three-story $3.5 million 65,000 sqft homeless shelter opened in February 1988.<ref name="homelessConstructionComplete1988"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1988 |title=Salvation Army's home fits the urban bill |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205958795/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B11 |first=Michael|last=McCullar}}</ref>
Caritas of Austin, which was founded in 1964 by [[Monsignor]] Richard McCabe,<ref>{{Cite news |title=About Us {{!}} Caritas of Austin |url=https://caritasofaustin.org/who-we-are/about-us/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260617104144/https://caritasofaustin.org/who-we-are/about-us/ |archive-date=June 17, 2026 |access-date=September 15, 2026 |work=Caritas of Austin |language=en-US}}</ref> opened a 5,000 sqft facility across the street to provide meals, religious and educational services to the unhoused in 1991.<ref name="caritas1991">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1991 |title=Caritas of Austin expands its facilities for needy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-caritas-of-aus/205960783/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B1 |first=Carlos|last=Cordova}}</ref> That facility received a $2.5 million upgrade in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 30, 1999 |title=
Bigger facility will ease strain on Caritas charity |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-caritas-in-199/205961303/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B1 |first=Andrew|last=Park}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 30, 1999 |title=
Bigger facility will ease strain on Caritas charity |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-caritas-in-199/205961303/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B5 |first=Andrew|last=Park}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 16, 2000 |title=
Warehouse is now home for Caritas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-caritas-in-200/205961575/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=B3}}</ref>
In August 1997 the Salvation Army bought an additional tract of land on Block 88.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1997 |title=
Salvation Army buys land for expansion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205965922/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A1 |first=Clara|last=Herrera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1997 |title=
Salvation Army buys land for expansion |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-salvation-army/205965804/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A10 |first=Clara|last=Herrera}}</ref> Less than a year later, in March 1998, then Austin mayor [[Kirk Watson]] announced a $12.3 million homeless plan which was to include a homeless shelter on the Salvation Army's newly aqcuired land.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1998 |title=
$12.3 million homeless plan |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-arch-123-mi/135663200/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A1 |first=Clara|last=Herrera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1998 |title=
$12.3 million homeless plan |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-homeless-hub/205955298/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A16 |first=Clara|last=Herrera}}</ref> After negotiations to lease the property stalled, the City of Austin threatened to condemn the newly acquired property. The Salvation Army ultimately wound up selling the property to the City of Austin in February 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 24, 2001 |title=
Austin moves ahead with plans for new shelter |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-austin-buys-sa/205965565/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A1 |first=Leah |last=Quin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 24, 2001 |title=
Austin moves ahead with plans for new shelter |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-austin-buys-sa/205965686/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A6 |first=Leah |last=Quin}}</ref> On April 28, 2004, the '''Austin Resource Center for the Homeless''' (ARCH for short) opened its doors. At the time of its opening, the new City of Austin owned facility had 100 beds and was 26,820 sqft.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 28, 2004 |title=For homeless, a new door opens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-arch-for-home/135662639/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A1 |first=Andrea |last=Ball}}</ref><ref name="homeless2004">{{Cite news |date=April 28, 2004 |title=For homeless, a new door opens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-arch-a-new-po/135662460/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A7 |first=Andrea |last=Ball}}</ref> The building was additionally [[LEED]] Silver upon opening.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 8, 2004 |title=More than just a shelter |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-arch-more-tha/135662131/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=E1 |first=Jeanne |last=van Ryzin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 8, 2004 |title=More than just a shelter |url=
https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-arch-new-home/135662383/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=E1 |first=Jeanne |last=van Ryzin}}</ref> By the time this building opened there were an estimated 4,000 unhoused people in Austin every night.<ref name="homeless2004"/>
Front Steps managed the ARCH from 2004<ref name="homeless2004"/> to 2022. The City of Austin ended it's relationship with Front Steps in the wake of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2022 |title=Austin to end contracts with homeless services nonprofit that runs ARCH shelter |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-to-end-contracts-with-homeless-services-nonprofit-that-runs-arch-shelter/ |website=KXAN-TV |first=Taylor |last=Girtman}}</ref> Urban Alchemy ran the shelter from 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2022 |title=City of Austin negotiates with new company to operate the ARCH |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/homeless/austin-cutting-contracts-front-steps-strategic-changes/269-c69ef0e2-0341-4c51-a7ae-499c99b56ea9 |website=KVUE |first=Drew |last=Knight}}</ref> to 2025.<ref name="urbanAlchemyEnded">{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2025 |title=
City of Austin not renewing ARCH contract with nonprofit Urban Alchemy |url=https://www.fox7austin.com/news/austin-texas-arch-contract-urban-alchemy |website=[[KTBC (TV)]] |first=Jenna|last=King}}</ref> The City of Austin opted not to renew the contract with Urban Alchemy upon learning that they had been altering data and ultimately signed a new lease with Endeavor.<ref name="urbanAlchemyEnded"/>
On February 17, 2023, the Salvation Army announced their intent to close and ultimately sell the property on which their shelter sat. "''The facility is aging and in disrepair''" The Salvation Army's website explained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreno-Lozano |first=Luz |date=April 13, 2023 |title=Austin's downtown Salvation Army shelter closes this week. Here's what we know. |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2023/04/13/salvation-army-austin-downtown-homeless-shelter-closes-this-week/70108815007/ |access-date=September 15, 2026 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en}}</ref> In September 2023, the Salvation Army signed a one year lease for the property with the City of Austin for $1.2 million to re-open the property for the duration of the lease.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2023 |title=City Council to vote on purchasing former Salvation Army Downtown Center for $15M |url=
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/city-council-to-vote-on-purchasing-former-salvation-army-downtown-center-for-15m/ |website=KXAN-TV |first=Sam |last=Stark}}</ref> In October 2023, the Austin City Council voted to purchase the property for $15 million after the conclusion of the lease.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2023 |title=First look inside Austin’s recently purchased homeless shelter, former Salvation Army building |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/first-look-inside-austins-recently-purchased-homeless-shelter-former-salvation-army-building/ |website=KXAN-TV |first=Grace |last=Reader}}</ref>
===Impact===
In 2001, [[Emo's]] owner Frank Hendrix sent a [[letter to the editor]] to the ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]'' in which he described "''people defecating and urinating at [[Sixth Street (Austin)|Sixth Street]] and Red River during the day and passers-by being harassed by crack dealers, panhandlers and mentally disturbed hecklers''".<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 1, 2001 |title=Derelicts, dealers are problem |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-problems-of-6t/205964326/ |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |via=newspapers.com |page=A12 |first=Frank |last=Hendrix}}</ref>
In 2025, the [[Pecan Street Festival]] moved from Fifth Street to [[Bee Cave, Texas]] amidst "''public safety concerns''". "''Homeless individuals sometimes approached vendors and made them feel uncomfortable''" a [[KUT]] article wrote.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Piorkowski |first=Corinne |date=May 2, 2025 |title=Artists say Pecan Street Festival's move away from Sixth Street is a long time coming |url=https://www.kut.org/austin/May 2, 2025/pecan-street-festival-downtown-austin-tx-move-hill-country-galleria-bee-cave |access-date=September 15, 2026 |website=KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station |language=en}}</ref>