Housing

Support that starts with what you need right now.

A safe place changes everything.

Whether you need somewhere to stay tonight or want long-term stability, LifeWorks offers a full range of housing options designed to fit your needs. Every option includes personalized support to help you stay housed and build the future you want. 

Need Shelter Now?

If you’re between the ages of 13–17 and need a safe place to sleep tonight, our Emergency Shelter provides a short-term place to stay, along with meals, 24/7 support staff, and guidance to figure out what comes next.

No one should have to choose between sleeping outside and staying in an unsafe situation.

Call 512-735-2400 if you need help now.

If you are in immediate danger call 911.

Apartment-Based Housing:
Stability with Support 

Our apartment-based programs combine housing with personalized support, including a dedicated case manager who helps you set goals, build skills, solve problems, and connect to resources so you can find stability and build the future you want.

To qualify, you need to:

  • Be under the age of 25

  • Live in Austin/Travis County

  • Be unhoused or experiencing homelessness

  • Complete a Coordinated Assessment

Apartment-based programs:

  • If you're a young adult up to age 22, including if you're pregnant or parenting, LifeWorks has apartments where rent and utilities are completely paid for. This gives you space to focus on your goals, build stability, and start saving for the future. While you're living here, you'll also have access to life skills and parenting classes, along with support to help you plan your next steps and work toward independence.

  • If you're under 25 and transitioning out of homelessness, LifeWorks can help with rent for up to two years. We start by covering more of the cost and slowly step back as your income increases. During this time, you’ll get regular support from a case manager, help with things like budgeting and benefits, and access to other LifeWorks services like counseling, school, and job support. On top of finding housing, we want to help you keep it and build long-term stability.

  • If you're under 25 and facing serious challenges like long-term homelessness or a disability, LifeWorks offers stable housing with support for as long as you need it. We’ll help you get connected to benefits, health care, and other services to help you stay housed and take care of your well-being.

Click the + to learn more.

What Makes LifeWorks Housing Different? 

We don’t just give you keys
and walk away.

Finding housing matters but keeping it matters more. That’s why every LifeWorks housing program includes personalized support to help you reach your goals on your terms.

From day one, you’ll have someone in your corner to help with the things that make housing stick: budgeting, job searches, mental health care, and daily life skills.

  • Need to finish school? We’ll help with that.

  • Want to start working? We’ll connect you to jobs that fit your goals.

  • Pregnant or parenting? We have classes and support designed just for you.

With the right support, you can do more than stay housed—you can build a life you love.

The Works Apartments

Affordable housing with optional support 

The Works is an apartment community in East Austin with affordable housing for both LifeWorks clients and other members of the community.

What’s offered:

  • Rent that's lower than most Austin apartments

  • An on-site food pantry

  • Community events and activities

  • On-site support to help you connect to services in the community

Space is limited and demand is high.

Call (512) 284-9369 to learn more.

Contact Us

Housing & Basic Needs

If you need help, call our main line and we’ll walk you through what services are available to you. 

phone
email
address

835 North Pleasant Valley Road

Austin, TX 78702 USA

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the + to learn more. 

  • You may be eligible for our housing services if you are at immediate risk of homelessness, if you are “literally homeless”, or if you are fleeing unsafe situations like domestic violence.

    Learn more about these official definitions    .

  • Completing the Coordinated Assessment is the first step toward getting housing.

    A Coordinated Assessment is our community’s centralized housing assistance application for people experiencing homelessness.

    Once we complete your Coordinated Assessment, you will be placed on a city-wide housing prioritization list. Once you’re on the list, you can be given different housing options with organizations like LifeWorks.
    (Note: Your place on the list may change as more young people are assessed.)

    To check if you are eligible for the Coordinated Assessment, call (512) 473-9125.

  • If you’re 17 or younger and need a safe place to stay, LifeWorks can help.
    Call (512) 735-2400 and ask for the “Emergency Shelter.”

    If you’re 18 or older, you can find a shelter in Austin and Central Texas by visiting this website.

    To be eligible for ACTS, you must: 

    • Be between 17.5 - 20 years old. (Note that it’s 17-and-a-half.)

    • Currently in or aged out of foster care in Texas.

    • Live within Region 7 of the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS), which includes Travis County and most of Central Texas. View the Region 7 map to see if you’re eligible.

    Call us at (512) 735-2400 to check eligibility.  

  • If you are between the ages of 16 and 26 and in an unstable living situation, we may be able to help. If you can identify an adult who could potentially provide you with safe and stable housing, you may be eligible for our Diversion program or Family Reunification.

    Call us at (512) 735-2400 to see what options might be available to you.

  • To fill out a maintenance request, visit http://theworks.lifeworksaustin.org.

More LifeWorks Programs

No matter where you are now, you can find safety and stability.
LifeWorks is ready to help you get there.

Basic Needs

Mental Health & Well-Being

Education & Workforce