Front Steps, based on the belief that all people deserve the dignity of a safe place to call home, seeks to end homelessness by providing shelter, affordable housing and community education.

Description:
Front Steps manages the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) and provides the social services for Garden Terrace, Austin's first permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless people.

The ARCH serves as an entry point into the homeless services system. Individuals can participate in services, receive information, meet their basic needs and start the transition out of homelessness.

Through shelter and permanent-housing programs, skills development, employment resources and more, Front Steps supports low-income workers, disabled and homeless individuals and their families to find lasting and affordable housing.

History:
Founded in 1997, Front Steps offers practical solutions for helping people find their way home. During the last ten years, Front Steps has transformed the ARCH from a day drop-in center with limited services into a 24/7 social service center providing shelter, basic needs, comprehensive support services and linkages to community providers to over 6,000 homeless adults annually. The overarching philosophy of Front Steps services is the belief that each client deserves respect and dignity while offering the flexibility and accessibility to the services that are highly valued by clients.

Contact people:

Susan Morris, Project Director, (phone), (email) Carol Swicker, Program Director, (phone), (email) Helen Varty, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (512) 482-0071

Address:

500 East Seventh Street Austin, TX 78701 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.frontsteps.org

Directions:

Front Steps is located in the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, which is located at 7th and Neches in the downtown area.