The facility being developed at 2401 South I-35 frontage road will provide services for those experiencing homelessness.
AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin announced Thursday its homeless strategies and operations team has identified Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center to be the next in line to operate its new South Austin Housing Navigation Center (SAHNC).
The facility is being developed at 2401 South Interstate Highway 35 frontage road, and is owned by the city. The facility will provide services for individuals and households experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, with city officials saying its recommendation for Sunrise reflects the city’s goals for the facility to be a place to aid in homelessness prevention by assisting with individuals with moving from unhoused to housing.
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City officials said the move is reflective of the city’s efforts to expand access to housing and will cost the city a little more than $4.3 million.
This all comes after the South Austin Navigation Center was acquired following a vote by the Austin City Council on Oct. 9, 2025 which authorized the negotiation to acquire the property located at 2401 South I-35 frontage road.
Officials said the acquisition was created to make a more central location for those experiencing homelessness and be connected to resources.
District 5 Councilmember Ryan Alter, who oversees the area where Sunrise is located near Joslin Elementary School, told KVUE the city plans to take a different approach to this newly-acquired property. People who live near Sunrise have voiced concerns over safety and its close proximity to schools, reporting drug and crime use, however Alter said this space will be different.
“One of those lessons is making sure just you have enough space; that’s a huge difference that we have here,” said Alter. “We are going to have a type of facility where you’re not going to have that outdoor congregating that spills out into the community, it’s all going to be inside.”
Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, which was founded in 2015 in Austin, has a long history of providing support to those experiencing homelessness. The organization provides services throughout the city and Travis County. Officials said Sunrise will provide housing services in an effort to promote long-term housing.
A housing navigation center is designed to provide services to individuals experiencing housing instability or homelessness, including:
Housing Search, which helps a person who is already experiencing homelessness locate, apply for and move to affordable housing of their own.Crisis Response, which services provide for the day-to-day survival needs of homeless individuals.Housing Stabilization Services, which helps individuals remain in their homes by preventing homelessness entirely.
Officials said Sunrise taking over the new housing center is all subject to approval by the Austin City Council, which will be presented a recommendation for consideration at its meeting on July 23. Upon council approval, the city will then move forward with preparing a final contract for the location.
Officials said the construction of the building and other improvements are currently underway and is expected to continue through spring 2027. The center anticipates operations to begin in June 2027.