SAFE Alliance Funding

[Colleen Pate]

Council Members--

The Council Members listed below and I have reviewed the memo from the City Manager regarding the future of the services provided by SAFE Alliance for Austinites who have been victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

These services include operating a shelter and supportive housing for domestic and family violence victims, Eloise House for sexual assault victims to receive forensic exams and advocacy, and several victim services and prevention programs. All of these are essential to the safety and support of our community, and the City’s investment in SAFE Alliance demonstrates our commitment to making sure the services remain accessible. Over the last year, the City has provided over $3.9 million to SAFE Alliance to provide services. Most recently, the City provided $2.0 million for SAFE to operate the domestic violence shelter, and $600,000 for family violence survivor housing, as well as $1.3 million in funding for victim services, outreach, and prevention programs.

Funding challenges for SAFE remain, however, given the loss of some federal funds, and a challenging fundraising environment. Along with the anticipated and real shortfalls that we face in the City budget, we are presented with a problem that will impact the community as a whole.

This is a community challenge that calls for a community solution.

The most pressing situation is the potential closure of the Eloise House at the end of May if SAFE cannot identify the funds needed to continue operations. While the City provides a small amount to the Eloise House (around $70,000) of a $3.1 million total budget, it’s a critical need in our community and, consequently, important that we, in being responsible, facilitate the conversations and discussions necessary to keep this facility open.

We are optimistic about the productive conversations that the City, our hospital systems, and SAFE are having around potential funding possibilities. The hospital systems, in particular, play a vital role in these discussions and in the potential outcome due to their legal responsibilities related to providing forensic exams. Texas law provides that victims of sexual assault have a right to forensic medical exams and requires trained health care providers to conduct such exams. Eloise House has been a welcoming space for victims to receive specialized care, expert forensic exams, and patient advocacy.

As mayor, I’m leading those conversations and focusing on a fix in the short-term, and with a long-term vision to sustain these services in the future. This is a pathway that is shared by the Council Members below and, likely, the whole dais.

As stated, this is a community challenge that calls for a community solution. It is not solely a challenge of the City. We encourage our partners at the County and the State to support these services that have been a fundamental resource in the community for victims who need us during one of the hardest moments of their lives.

We look forward to standing with our partners at SAFE, our hospital community, and others to find a path forward. We appreciate the work done so far by the City Manager’s office to support these efforts.

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Mayor Watson
Council Member Vanessa Fuentes-District 2
Council Member Jose Velasquez-District 3
Council Member Krista Laine- District 6
Council Member Mike Siegel- District 7

On Behalf of Mayor Watson

[Marc Duchen]

Mayor,

Thank you for your work on this important issue.

I agree that this situation calls for a community solution and look forward to continuing the work. Safeguarding Eloise House and the services it provides is of utmost importance. I hope that the solution we're working towards can be a model and set a standard for pulling together various partners to support our City.

-Marc