Our Mission

Founded in 1989, HtH is the oldest all volunteer, action, homeless organization in the state of Texas. The mission is Education and Advocacy around the issues of ending and preventing homelessness.

Urgent Issues

Re-Criminalizing Homelessness — Speak up now!

The Austin city council recently voted to put on its May ballot a vote to reinstate the no camping ban including the no sit/no lie ordinances. Now is the time to contact your mayor and council members particularly those who have supported decriminalizing homelessness, such as Mayor Adler, Kathy Tovo, Ann Kitchen, Greg Casar, Sabino Renteria, and others, we pray.

First call to action is cold weather shelter. Anyone that reads this, our urgent plea is to email our mayor and city council in this urgent time of cold weather. House the Homeless is encouraging to use the Convention Center or other alternatives sites that are already over burdened due to Covid-19 or at capacity.

A second call to action is to not displace unsheltered neighbors from bridges and the four major camp areas without having an immediate plan for alternative shelter/housing.

Finally, advise your mayor and council members that the wording for the May ballot regarding reinstating a camping ban must consider that those with disabilities, the aged, and in fact anyone with no place to go. The no sit/no lie ordinance is absolutely inhumane and unconscionable we must have at least 15 minute respites particularly for those with disabilities and make other provisions.

Federal Minimum Wage Debate

Federal resolve is insufficient; highly recommend Universal Living Wage formula indexed on the cost of housing wherever the person lives and works. 

HUGSS Winter Survival Clothing, Party Planned 1-1-22

HUGSS Winter Survival Clothing, Party Planned 1-1-22

For decades, HtH has raised funds for HUGSS (hats, under-thermals, gloves, scarves and socks to gift to individual men, women, and youth experiencing homelessness in the greater Austin area. Our New Year’s Day party is again planned at and with gratitude to First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity St., Saturday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Music, Lunch, HUGSS bags. Other resources on-site. Volunteers please call 512-565-1388 fmi. DISTANCING AND OTHER COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (Plan B for cooperative distribution if necessary, similar to 2021.

Open Letter to President Biden 6-28-23

Open Letter to President Biden 6-28-23

The following letter to President Biden calls for a “whole of government” approach to create Livable incomes for all, while benefiting businesses all across America.

The US Congress is responsible for setting the Federal Minimum Wage, FMW, so that people can attain basic food, clothing and shelter. However, Congress has failed to properly do their job and even raise the FMW once in the last 25 years. Unfortunately, Congress has acted as if Congress and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, are two separate government entities. They are not. We want them to act in unison and ensure that every American who can work and gets a paycheck, and those who cannot work and receives a stipend, can afford basic rental housing throughout the United States. This will not only benefit these individuals, it will help address the national housing crisis and most assuredly stimulate the housing construction industry both locally and nationally.

Click here to download PDF

2021 Year in Review

2021 Year in Review

Year in Review 2021: to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity is a human right! Please download and take a look at House the Homeless’s year in review for 2021.

Click Here to Download PDF

Bring America Home Now — Interfaith Launch

Bring America Home Now — Interfaith Launch

Join Bring America Home Now (BAHN) on March 17th, 2022 at 6 p.m. for their virtual Interfaith Launch event.

Speakers:

  • Rev. John P. Kee
  • Pastor Michelle Bush
  • Donal Whitehead

Details

  • Meeting ID: 838 5625 0099
  • Passcode: 498152
Annual HtH Homeless Memorial Service

Annual HtH Homeless Memorial Service

Amid The Pandemic, Austin Remembers The 256 Homeless Deaths On Austin’s Streets In 2021

In a year marred by uncertainty and loss, homeless Austinites and advocates gathered Sunday morning to remember and read the names of the 256 homeless Austinites who died in 2020 – an increase of more than 70 deaths compared to last year.

Click the link below to read the full article from Austin’s NPR Station:
https://www.kut.org/2020-11-18/amid-the-pandemic-austin-remembers-the-256-homeless-deaths-on-austins-streets-in-2020

Click the link below to read the full article from NewsBreak:
https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0cwYmgIp?pd=0AZCstoF&lang=en_US&s=i16

 

Keynote Speaker Chris Baker, Executive Director, The  Other Ones Foundation

HUGSS Thermal Give Event Sat. Jan 1st 2022

For decades, HtH has raised funds for HUGSS (hats, under-thermals, gloves, scarves and socks to gift to individual men, women, and youth experiencing homelessness in the greater Austin area. Our New Year’s Day party is again planned at and with gratitude to First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity St., Saturday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Music, Lunch, HUGSS bags. Other resources on-site. Volunteers please call 512-565-1388 fmi. DISTANCING AND OTHER COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (Plan B for cooperative distribution if necessary, similar to 2021.