Downtown ‘Oasis’ for Austin’s unhoused celebrates one year of service

AUSTIN (KXAN) – This month marks one year since the opening of Urban Alchemy’s Oasis, a downtown refuge for Austin’s unhoused. 

According to a World Health Organization report, heat is to blame for more deaths than any other extreme weather. It can be particularly dangerous for the unhoused. The heat killed nearly two dozen people experiencing homelessness between 2018 and 2023, according to Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray.

“If someone does [pass] out, [the Oasis] has people here that can call EMS,” said Diane Williams, a care coordinator for Urban Alchemy. “We can provide water and food for them. You know what I’m saying, if they pass out on the street, people might just walk over them, walk by.”

In 2024, Urban Alchemy converted a downtown parking lot into a green space with misters, showers and tables and chairs. Staff at the Oasis provide food, water and the opportunity to connect with housing services. 

Williams was helping a man fill out paperwork when KXAN stopped by Tuesday afternoon.

“We try to connect them with all of the resources that are available here in Austin,” she said. 

“There was a guy out here early. I wish you’d have been here. Every time he sees me, he’s like, ‘Thank y’all so much. I got my place. I love my place.’ He shows me a video every day,” Williams recounted. “It’s stories like that that make it worth it.” 

Urban Alchemy has operated for three years and runs the Arch Shelter and the 8th Street Shelter downtown. 

The Oasis park is open to both housed and unhoused people for a place to connect with community and beat the heat.

“We provide food and water coffee every day, and a place for them to just sit and chill,” so they have to be out on the street,” Williams said.