AUSTIN, Texas — Austin city leaders recognized nine Black-led grassroots organizations on Tuesday after the groups completed a yearlong training initiative designed to strengthen their work serving people experiencing homelessness.
Mayor Kirk Watson called homelessness a true humanitarian crisis in the city of Austin, telling attendees, “I want to say I’m proud to live in a city that cares as much about this issue as we do.” He later added, “We have to do better in Austin, Texas.”
The participating organizations work on the front lines of Austin’s homelessness crisis, including groups like The Pfaith House. Founder Kimberly Holiday said her organization focuses on supporting women and children facing some of the most difficult circumstances. “We have transitional housing in Pflugerville for women and children who are actively fleeing domestic violence and or experiencing chronic homelessness,” she said…