
Our Mission
Founded in 1989, HtH is the oldest all volunteer, action, homeless organization in the state of Texas. The mission is Education and Advocacy around the issues of ending and preventing homelessness.
Urgent Issues
Re-Criminalizing Homelessness — Speak up now!

The Austin city council recently voted to put on its May ballot a vote to reinstate the no camping ban including the no sit/no lie ordinances. Now is the time to contact your mayor and council members particularly those who have supported decriminalizing homelessness, such as Mayor Adler, Kathy Tovo, Ann Kitchen, Greg Casar, Sabino Renteria, and others, we pray.
First call to action is cold weather shelter. Anyone that reads this, our urgent plea is to email our mayor and city council in this urgent time of cold weather. House the Homeless is encouraging to use the Convention Center or other alternatives sites that are already over burdened due to Covid-19 or at capacity.
A second call to action is to not displace unsheltered neighbors from bridges and the four major camp areas without having an immediate plan for alternative shelter/housing.
Finally, advise your mayor and council members that the wording for the May ballot regarding reinstating a camping ban must consider that those with disabilities, the aged, and in fact anyone with no place to go. The no sit/no lie ordinance is absolutely inhumane and unconscionable we must have at least 15 minute respites particularly for those with disabilities and make other provisions.
Federal Minimum Wage Debate

Federal resolve is insufficient; highly recommend Universal Living Wage formula indexed on the cost of housing wherever the person lives and works.


Poverty and Homelessness Virtual Conference
Reimagining Education: Collectively Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The presentation will include Kids for Kids Sake Videos submitted by House the Homeless.
Date: April 23, 2022
Time: 1-4 p.m.

Bring America Home Now — Interfaith Launch
Join Bring America Home Now (BAHN) on March 17th, 2022 at 6 p.m. for their virtual Interfaith Launch event.
Speakers:
- Rev. John P. Kee
- Pastor Michelle Bush
- Donal Whitehead
Details
- Meeting ID: 838 5625 0099
- Passcode: 498152

Annual HtH Homeless Memorial Service
Amid The Pandemic, Austin Remembers The 256 Homeless Deaths On Austin’s Streets In 2021
In a year marred by uncertainty and loss, homeless Austinites and advocates gathered Sunday morning to remember and read the names of the 256 homeless Austinites who died in 2020 – an increase of more than 70 deaths compared to last year.
Click the link below to read the full article from Austin’s NPR Station:
https://www.kut.org/2020-11-18/amid-the-pandemic-austin-remembers-the-256-homeless-deaths-on-austins-streets-in-2020
Click the link below to read the full article from NewsBreak:
https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0cwYmgIp?pd=0AZCstoF&lang=en_US&s=i16


Keynote Speaker Chris Baker, Executive Director, The Other Ones Foundation

HUGSS 2021 – 350 backpacks with winter gear distributed to those experiencing homelessness
HUGSS 2021
350 backpacks prepared by volunteers with winter gear. Distributed on Jan 1st 2021 to those experiencing homelessness. Despite the cold, rain, and other conditions these items were given at multiple sites by volunteers.
View a few photos from the event:




HUGSS New Year’s Day event for winter resources
House the Homeless’ annual HUGSS Winter survival volunteer event was held outdoors on Saturday, January 1st 2022, at First Baptist Austin. Just under 250 individuals experiencing homelessness were provided a hot BBQ lunch and backpack with HUGSS (hat, under thermals, gloves, scarves, socks, or other items).




HUGSS Thermal Give Event Sat. Jan 1st 2022
For decades, HtH has raised funds for HUGSS (hats, under-thermals, gloves, scarves and socks to gift to individual men, women, and youth experiencing homelessness in the greater Austin area. Our New Year’s Day party is again planned at and with gratitude to First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity St., Saturday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Music, Lunch, HUGSS bags. Other resources on-site. Volunteers please call 512-565-1388 fmi. DISTANCING AND OTHER COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (Plan B for cooperative distribution if necessary, similar to 2021.

HUGSS Winter Survival Clothing, Party Planned 1-1-22
For decades, HtH has raised funds for HUGSS (hats, under-thermals, gloves, scarves and socks to gift to individual men, women, and youth experiencing homelessness in the greater Austin area. Our New Year’s Day party is again planned at and with gratitude to First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity St., Saturday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Music, Lunch, HUGSS bags. Other resources on-site. Volunteers please call 512-565-1388 fmi. DISTANCING AND OTHER COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (Plan B for cooperative distribution if necessary, similar to 2021.

Take Action Now! Support Housing as Infrastructure
In the next two weeks, please urge your US Senator (202) 224-3121 to support housing as infrastructure with a generous contribution to the Build Back Better initiative going to the development of affordable housing. House the Homeless is a partner organization of the National Homeless Coalition (NCH) and NCH will be sponsoring a couple of days to specifically call Senators Manchin and Sinema who for some reason has become the center of the universe when it comes to voting rights and infrastructure spending.
Thanks.
Richard R. Troxell

Presenting before the US Conference of Catholic Bishops – Basilica Statue Project
Please wish us well and keep us in your prayers as Sylvia and I head back to Washington DC. On the way there, we will detour to Baltimore Maryland. We have been invited to present before the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. On this Sunday, November 14th, I will speak for exactly 10 minutes in an effort to convince the Catholic Church to accept the Homeless-Home Coming statue at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. on the grounds of Catholic University.
The statue is the story of a chance encounter between strangers, who have lost all material things. Warming themselves at a fire barrel, the little girl, Colleen, sees, then, calls to the old woman. She urges her father to reach out to the African American woman to share the fire. Bent over from life’s burdens and trudging through the woods, she has lost all hope. She is coming from nowhere and going nowhere. Colleen realizes that the old woman is also suffering some kind of visual impairment as she wanders through the darkness. Ms. Anateen, is sure she could not possibly dare enter the camp of strangers. Colleen repeatedly calls to the old woman to join them. “Come on, come on,” she called as if calling to her puppy. Finally, John, a Veteran and Colleen’s father, takes her lead with a broad smile and a booming voice, “Come on ahead old woman. All are welcome here!” The woman, also destitute, very cold and very tired, is overwhelmed by the invitation. She drops her bags. Air escapes her lungs. Her hand covers her heart. Her gaze turns toward the heavens. Humbly, she offers up a whispered prayer, “Thank you Jesus.” While my concept, the sculpting was a collaborative effort between Timothy P. Schmalz (heralded as “The Michelangelo of our times”) and myself when it was sculpted over 4 1/2 years, over the phone.
Thank you.
Richard