Austin, September 22, 2025
News Summary
The Austin City Council is deliberating the relocation of the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center due to safety concerns from the community, particularly for nearby children attending Joslin Elementary School. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit to shut down the center, deeming it a public nuisance. The city proposes moving the center to a larger site at 2401 S. Interstate 35 Frontage Road. Residents have expressed opposition to this move through an online petition, fearing it may bring similar issues to the new neighborhood.
Austin City Council members are considering the relocation of the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center amidst ongoing community concerns regarding safety, especially for children attending Joslin Elementary School, which is nearby. Current issues surrounding the facility have prompted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to file a lawsuit seeking to shut it down, labeling the center a public nuisance.
The city is proposing a new location for the center at 2401 S. Interstate 35 Frontage Road near East Oltorf Street, which is a former motorcycle dealership currently leased to a gaming lounge. City Councilmember Ryan Alter asserts that the new site is significantly larger than the current facility, which could reduce the visibility of outdoor congregations.
Some residents, however, oppose the relocation of the center to the new site and have initiated an online petition to reject the proposal. Nicole Heier, the president of the Greenbriar East Oltorf Association, has voiced concerns that problems from the current facility will spill over into the new neighborhood due to the presence of nearby educational institutions.
Alter defends the relocation by arguing that the new site is “fairly isolated,” with the nearest school located across a major highway, distancing it from immediate concerns surrounding elementary education. The current Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center is operated by a third-party nonprofit church, while the proposed new location would be city-owned, with the city planning to set operational parameters aimed at improving management and reducing negative community impacts.
A virtual information session for community feedback regarding the relocation is scheduled for September 24 from 6-7 p.m. Since its establishment in 2015, the Sunrise center has been assisting about 300 people daily, providing essential services such as food, clothing, healthcare, and housing resources. Nonetheless, there has been a notable increase in neighborhood concerns about crime and safety, with allegations of dangerous incidents occurring near the center.
The lawsuit against the center points to various incidents that raise safety hazards for children at nearby schools. Despite these challenges, Alter acknowledges the center’s effectiveness, calling it one of the most effective homelessness service providers in Austin, while recognizing the community issues it creates.
To alleviate strain on the immediate area, the proposed new facility aims to distribute services more effectively to various neighborhoods. The city has also announced a $100 million plan addressing homelessness in the region, proposing additional navigation centers and services across Austin.
Sunrise Community Church has expanded its services over time and received significant public and private funding for its operations. This ongoing situation highlights the challenge of balancing community safety concerns with the necessity for effective homeless services in Austin.
FAQ
- What is the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center? The Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center is a facility that assists individuals experiencing homelessness by providing services such as food, clothing, healthcare, and housing resources.
- Why is the center being relocated? The relocation is being considered due to community concerns about safety, particularly for children attending Joslin Elementary School, located nearby the current center.
- What is the new proposed location for the center? The proposed new location is at 2401 S. Interstate 35 Frontage Road near East Oltorf Street, a former motorcycle dealership that is currently leased to a gaming lounge.
- What issues have been raised by residents regarding the move? Some residents have concerns that problems from the current facility will carry over to the new neighborhood, and they have started an online petition to reject the proposal.
- What is the city planning to do to mitigate community impact? The city wants to set operational parameters for the new facility to improve its management and to reduce any negative impact on the community.
- When is the community feedback session scheduled? A virtual information session about the relocation is scheduled for September 24 from 6-7 p.m.
- How many people does the current center serve? The current Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center has been helping around 300 people daily since its establishment in 2015.
- What has been the reaction of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit to shut down the center, labeling it a public nuisance.
Key Features of the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center Situation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Location | Near Joslin Elementary School in South Austin |
| Proposed New Location | 2401 S. Interstate 35 Frontage Road near East Oltorf Street |
| Current Service Capacity | Helps around 300 people daily |
| Community Concerns | Safety for children and increased crime rates |
| Lawsuit Filed By | Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton |
| Scheduled Community Feedback Session | September 24 from 6-7 p.m. |
| City’s Response | Proposing new location with operational parameters |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Austin Proposes $101 Million Funding Package for Homelessness
Austin Addresses Homelessness Near Joslin Elementary School
Additional Resources
- KVUE News
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google Search: Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center
- MSN News
- Google Scholar: Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center
- Texas Monthly
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Community Impact
- Google News: Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
