Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Austin to End Urban Alchemy Contract Over HMIS Misreporting

City Council will consider an emergency agreement with Endeavors on Oct. 9 to keep both downtown shelters operating through September 2026.

Overview

  • The Homeless Strategy Office will let Urban Alchemy’s agreement lapse on Sept. 30 after determining staff misrepresented HMIS exit dates and other records at the ARCH and the Eighth Street Women’s Shelter.
  • City officials said five employees were involved in the improper entries, and both the city and the nonprofit confirmed the affected data has been corrected.
  • Urban Alchemy said its internal controls identified the issue, the city was notified, and the employees responsible were terminated.
  • HSO plans a one-year emergency contract with Endeavors, which already manages the Marshalling Yard and Northbridge shelters, pending City Council approval on Oct. 9.
  • Officials emphasized data integrity for credible reporting and funding decisions, noted that standard monitoring protocols flagged the discrepancies, and said a competitive procurement for a long-term operator will follow the interim period.