AUSTIN, Texas — The Salvation Army's Downtown Austin shelter will be closing its doors after more than 20 years.
The shelter is set to close on March 15, leaving 32 people without a place to stay.
"Very sad situation where, right now, they are facing great uncertainty of where they are going to go because their doors are closing," Austin City Councilmember Ryan Alter (District 5) said.
The Salvation Army said the building is "beyond repair," and it could no longer continue to offer the quality of care to those in need at the downtown location.
During a public health committee meeting on Wednesday, Major Lewis Reckline said the Salvation Army is working to relocate these folks.
“Send some to other shelters, if that could be worked out," Reckline said.
Reckline said Salvation Army is looking to relocate some of the people that reside in the downtown location to the Dallas Salvation Army. Across Austin, relocating those at this shelter will be difficult because space is limited at shelters in town.
"We don't have enough shelter beds, and so it’s not surprising we are struggling to find a place for these people to go," Alter said.
The Salvation Army said it plans to list the downtown property for sale. Alter said he would like to see if the City could do something.
"I would love for us to be able take over and utilize the shelter space. We need more shelter, not less," Alter said.
Currently, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and City leaders are also working on a plan for those remaining at the Salvation Army. A spokesperson with the mayor's office said they will have additional information Friday.
Watson also asked the Salvation Army if it could extend the closing past March 15. Reckline said that is something it will look into.