Purpose: This memo updates the SHIP supportive service funding request (BH-02).
Reduced Funding Request: Instead of $4.6M, we only need $2.0M in ongoing funding and $0 in one-time funding. This smaller request is the result of the conversations we have had with The City of Austin and the St. David’s Foundation about leveraging each other’s funding.
· Leverage Opportunity:
o St. David’s Foundation (SDF): Per CEO Ed Burger’s letter, SDF’s Board will be voting on September 15th to approve a one-time $6.0M grant (to be spent over two years) for SHIP supportive services. This grant, if approved, is a one-time investment to “allow local government leaders to create a sustainable public funding model for the services component of PSH.”
o City of Austin: Per T.C. Broadnax and David Gray’s letter, “we [the City of Austin] are willing to support SHIP supportive services as a partner, while recognizing that Travis County is well positioned to lead this particular investment…”
· City and County Jointly Award to 2 SHIP projects: Using a previous earmark for PSH, County HHS partnered with the City to fund $1.3M for support services annually for the next five years. Contingent on Court approval, this award will reduce the SHIP PSH support service request to $3.8M in FY27 and $8.6M in FY28.
Building a Diversion to Housing Pipeline
We know that over 50% of our jail population suffers from mental illness also experiences homelessness. PSH will disrupt the cycle of jail and homelessness by providing people with stable housing and access to ongoing healthcare. Based on recent conversations with ECHO and the City of Austin, we will jointly create a pathway from our diversion pilot (and other diversion programs) to the housing our clients’ desperately need.
USE THIS VERSION - Due to technological challenges, I have had to re-upload the five BAWs submitted to PBO today. Please find the attachments appropriately uploaded here.
I have uploaded the FY 2027 Budget Agenda Worksheets (BAW) that will be used to prioritize discussions during Budget Markup. Budget Markup is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM on Thursday, September 10, 2026.Jessica Rio
County Executive, Planning and Budget
Travis County
Jessica Rio
County Executive, Planning and Budget
Travis County
