Our History

Front Steps was formed in 1997 as the Capital Area Homeless Alliance in response to a recommendation of the Community Action Network’s 1996 Comprehensive Plan for Addressing Homelessness. From its founding, our philosophy has been that all people deserve the dignity of a safe place to call home.

Front Step’s first task was to manage the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) via a contract with the City of Austin. The ARCH remains Fronts Step’s primary endeavor. In the early years, we served 50-75 homeless clients a day at the ARCH, which was then a small storefront location in downtown Austin. Now we serve an average of 500 homeless men and women on a daily basis at a large facility at the corner of 7th and Neches. With support from the City of Austin, 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 co-location by ten other homeless service providers under one roof. The ARCH serves homeless individuals from a variety of backgrounds and life circumstances, including those who have been homeless for many years.

Over the years, Front Steps raised funds from a variety of sources to add programs for the vulnerable population served at the ARCH. This includes a substance abuse intervention program known as Streets of Hope and a homelessness intervention program known as the Central Texas Recuperative Care Project. Front Steps also provides both transitional and permanent housing programs. Finally, Front Steps is the lead agency for the Keep Austin Housed AmeriCorps Program.