SAFE Alliance, formerly SafePlace, serves as Austin Children's Shelter and Travis County Women's Shelter. SafePlace provides safety for individuals and families affected by domestic violence, and sexual assault and exploitation through campus-based prevention and intervention services. The Grove Boulevard campus provides transitional housing for families leaving emergency shelter who need longer-term housing and support, as well as permanent supported housing at Grove Place apartments, which is located next to SAFE's Grove Boulevard campus.
Since 1974, SafePlace has provided a range of services to women, children and men victimized by rape, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Their clients are from diverse backgrounds and sectors of the community and include traditionally underserved populations. Services for victims include: a 24-hour crisis Hotline; 105-bed Family Shelter; support for recent rape victims at local hospitals; 48 transitional housing apartments; therapeutic counseling; Life Skills classes; and case management, among other programs.
The current Grove Boulevard Campus will be redeveloped in phases, to include additional affordable housing and service space. The Phase I ESA will be included in the 9% Tax Credit application that will be submitted in March 2023. The Phase I ESA was completed December 29, 2022, with no additional work recommended at this time.
The first phase of the redevelopment includes construction of The Sasha, a five-story, wood-frame, elevator-served building that will be designed with comfort and safety in mind for those who have experienced long-term trauma, violence, and homelessness. The building will feature secured and separated entries. The design is trauma-informed and guided by SAFE's extensive experience with the individuals and families they serve.
* 60 units comprised of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units (30 units of permanent supportive housing and 30 units of transitional supportive housing).
* Community spaces including an indoor resident lounge, meeting rooms, support services staff offices, laundry, business center, and secure/controlled-access reception area.
* Trauma informed design appropriate for the target population.
* Supportive services by SAFE - including counseling, advocacy, case management, peer support, life skills, parenting support, education enhancement and disability services.
The Sasha will target individuals and small families in need of specialized and specific non-medical services in order to maintain housing. The property will serve persons transitioning out of homelessness, persons at-risk of homelessness, persons with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities, youth aging out of foster care, persons unable to secure permanent housing elsewhere due to various barriers, and persons with special housing needs including Violence Against Women Act Protections (domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking).
This site is in an area with good access to general services, including transit and contiguous sidewalk access. High-frequency transit provides access to a nearby grocery, pharmacy, health services, everyday retail, schools, and major job centers, including Downtown Austin.
This project leveraged $24,910,968 for construction of the new building.
The building will be pursuing Austin Energy Green Building rating, which was designed to reward sustainable building practices, lead to high-performing buildings, and create market demand for green buildings. As the market recognizes sustainable building practices, these measures are incorporated into Austin's codes and local building regulations. The City of Austin has established goals in Energy Efficiency, Water Conservation, Materials Management, Carbon Neutrality, Watershed Protection, Mobility, Affordability, Resilience, and Health.