The Auditor’s Office has identified that there is a gap in services from the City’s neighborhood health centers based on where they are located. Currently, neighborhood centers may not be in walking distance for more than 95% of low and moderate income residents. Austin Public Health has found that areas north of 183 and southeast of 71 and IH-35 are the most important places to fill the current gap of services in our community.
City staff has identified that the Gus Garcia Recreation Center is the best location north of 183 to expand services via a multipurpose health facility because nearby community health centers are full, the facility is in need of expanded space and services for seniors, and this location could also provide other services such as STI testing.
In this year’s budget, we can fund the design and planning process for this multipurpose health center to develop how this facility could best serve the north Austin community.
There are potential partnerships that could be identified in the planning process to go beyond what our existing neighborhood centers provide. Funding the design is an important first step to provide these services to more north Austin neighbors.
You have two opportunities to come advocate for this budget allocation in the 2018-2019 budget: this Wednesday (tomorrow), August 22nd at 1pm in the City Hall Chambers. You can also attend the August 30th Council Meeting in the City Hall Chambers, where testimony on the budget will likely be taken up around the evening. If you have additional questions, you can contact Shelby Alexander at [email protected] or 512-978-2157.