During the final Lunch & Learn of the Fall 2025 semester, Dr. Akram Al-Turk explored recent policy developments reshaping housing and homelessness responses in Austin and across Texas.
Dr. Al-Turk, who is a research associate with the Moritz Center for Societal Impact, highlighted in his discussion how funding shifts are influencing research agendas, program design, and interventions. He also discussed the balance between “housing first” policies, homelessness diversion, and homelessness prevention strategies.
A key insight to local issues, Dr. Al-Turk said, is that local leaders are addressing recent changes as federal and city funding sources change and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars sunset. Changes to policy at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the failed vote for Proposition Q, which would have increased funding for programs and services, are creating “further cuts” to what is already a challenging funding environment, he said.
He also noted that there is a challenge of public messaging around visible homelessness, which often can overshadow the substantial and evidence-based practices that are reducing homelessness.
“The inflow continues to exceed the outflow,” Dr. Al-Turk said. “Homelessness is a downstream issue that should be viewed as an upstream issue.”
For best practices in housing and homelessness strategies, Dr. Al-Turk said the research shows that taking a measured approach to permanent housing, diversion, and prevention services – including long-term follow-up with clients and tailored, supportive services – can prevent individuals from entering into chronic homelessness.
“It’s good for us to look at whether diversion and permanent housing programs are effective, but it’s when we look at interventions from a systems-level that we can make concentrated efforts to address homelessness,” said Dr. Al-Turk.
The conversation completed the Fall 2025 slate of lunch and learn sessions at UT Social Work. Additional sessions for the Spring 2026 semester are to be announced in the coming weeks.