Homeless Strategy Office details efforts for women experiencing homelessness

According to the Homeless Strategy Office, 40% of the Austin homeless population identify as women, and face different challenges than men experiencing homelessness.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Commission for Women heard from the city's Homeless Strategy Office on the unique challenges women experiencing homelessness face and their efforts to provide relief.

According to Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray, Austin has a homeless population of approximately 6,600, and 40% identify as women. He identified four major problems these women may face: a greater risk of physical, psychological or sexual violence, a lack of access to feminine hygiene products, limited access to healthcare and difficulty finding safe and affordable childcare.

"We try to operate with a level of intentionality, making sure that when we have the opportunity to tailor programs and services for women, that we do so," Gray said.

In December, the city bought a former Salvation Army shelter on Eighth Street and transformed it into a 160-bed facility specifically for women. There, they can meet with case managers and work to transition to permanent housing. Gray told KXAN that shelter is now full and has a substantial waitlist.

"Whether the client is in the shelter, or we're reaching them through an outreach team, we're connecting them with medical professionals who can help them address the trauma of a domestic violence situation, or make sure they're getting proper reproductive healthcare," Gray said.

The Homeless Strategy Office and Austin Public Health Department are also working to open a new domestic violence shelter in East Austin.