Austin expands HEART program to help homeless [Video]

AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin is expanding its Homelessness Engagement Assistance Response, or HEART, team after a successful pilot last year.

The pilot included workers from Urban Alchemy and the Downtown Austin Alliance and showed promising results, with more than 100 people admitted to shelters and 57 reunited with their families.

The city recently approved a nearly $1 million contract with Urban Alchemy to continue and expand the program.

Meanwhile, staffers with Urban Alchemy faced some allegations of inappropriate misconduct with clients four months ago in California. The city said it was aware of these issues but felt the organization’s previous positive work warranted continuing the partnership.

The expanded HEART program is expected to cover a larger area of Downtown Austin and will run through next September.