Housing

The Youth Resource Center is open Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m., to 4 p.m., and is located at 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road.

Walk-up services are available for those who are 26 and younger experiencing homelessness.

Services include food and water, hygiene items, housing navigation, Coordinated Assessments (paused until further notice), camping gear, help with identification documents, a mailing address, program referrals, and more.

Call/text 512-473-9125 or e-mail street.outreach@lifeworksaustin.org to connect with the YRC.

FOR MINORS: LifeWorks offers Emergency Shelter to those experiencing homelessness who are 17 or younger (or 18 and still in care).

Call 512-735-2100 and ask for the Emergency Shelter to check eligibility.

COLD WEATHER: LifeWorks offers shelter to those 26 or younger experiencing homelessness when the city activates a Cold Weather Shelter (when the overnight temperature is expected to be at or below 32 degrees or at or below 35 degrees with rain or high winds).

To see if the city activates a Cold Weather Shelter, call the city’s Cold Weather hotline at 512-305-4233.

For more information on LifeWorks Cold Weather Shelters, visit the YRC on Facebook or Instagram, or call 512-473-9125.

If you are 18 or older and seeking shelter, check this list of local shelters.

LifeWorks has a variety of housing programs. These programs include:

• Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH)

• Transitional Living Program (TLP)

• Diversion

• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

To be considered for these programs, you must:

1. Be 24 or younger (21 or younger for YPP/TLP)

2. Be experiencing homelessness* within Travis County

3. Complete a Coordinated Assessment

*You must meet the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Category 1: “Literally Homeless” or Category 4: ”Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence” definitions of homelessness. Visit here for more information on these definitions.

The Coordinated Assessment (CA) is an evaluation process that tells the homeless response system someone has a need for housing. Once complete, you will be placed on a citywide housing prioritization list where you could be pulled for different housing opportunities with agencies like LifeWorks. This list is a living document, so your place may shift as those more vulnerable are assessed.

Therefore, this process could take anywhere from over a month to over a year depending on vulnerability and program capacity, so no official timeline can be given. Additionally, completing the assessment does not guarantee housing or financial assistance.

Coordinated Assessments can be completed at LifeWorks and other agencies by trained assessors. You can find more information about the CA and assessment locations here.

To learn more about LifeWorks housing programs call 512-473-9125.

If you can identify an adult host who could potentially provide you with safe and stable housing, you may be eligible for our Diversion program or family reunification. Call 512-473-9125 to check eligibility and options.

If you are 17.5-20 and aged out of (or currently in) foster care in Texas and reside in Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Region 7 (see map), you may be eligible for Aftercare Transitional Services (ACTS).

Call 512-735-2100 and ask to enroll in ACTS to check eligibility.

ACTS offers case management services, which include one-on-one services supporting you in any goals you have, as well as housing navigation, housing/utility and food financial support, assistance with education and employment services, and health/wellness services.

The Works at Pleasant Valley is a community of affordable housing units managed by an outside property management company. These units are available to the community, as well as designated for youth and young adults enrolled in various LifeWorks housing programs (see “Looking for housing?”).

For information about the affordable housing units available to the community, call The Works leasing office at 512-284-9369.

Visit 211 Texas or call 2-1-1.

Visit findhelp.

Visit ConnectATX or call 833-512-2289.

After Care Transitional Services: Assists youth transitioning out of foster care with their chosen goals, hopes, and dreams. Clients access resources such as housing, education, and employment support.

Diversion: Supports youth and young adults by assisting them in identifying or strengthening their natural support systems to maintain or identify safe and stable housing options.

Emergency Shelter: Available 24 hours a day for self-referring youth who have run away, are homeless, or need temporary family separation. Youth are able to access shelter services through a variety of community partners, most notably the Department of Family & Protective Services. Services include food, clothing, transportation, hygiene, case management, linkage to medical care, education, etc.

Permanent Supportive Housing: LifeWorks Permanent Supportive Housing program provides housing assistance and supportive services to young people and their households to help them achieve their individual goals, with a focus on achieving housing stability.

Rapid Rehousing: Provides rental support, utility assistance, and case management for up to two years for young adults and their children. Clients work individually with a case manager on housing, education, employment, budgeting, and debt management goals.

Street Outreach and Youth Resource Center: Services available to support youth experiencing homelessness. Creates supportive relationships by helping youth navigate the housing system, providing safety planning, and providing resources for health, wellness, food, clothing, phone, and wifi.

Transitional Living Program: A dormitory-based housing that provides 18 months of case management and supportive services for young adults ages 18-21. Helps residents build skills and resources to increase autonomy and prepare for independent living.

The Works I & II Apartments: Supportive housing provides time-unlimited affordable housing, financial assistance, case management, counseling, and life skills groups. Prioritizes services for youth with ongoing challenges to sustaining permanent housing.

Please go here to fill out a form for maintenance requests if you are a resident living at The Works Apartments: http://theworks.lifeworksaustin.org/.