How dire is the problem of homelessness among families with children in Austin? You may be surprised. For our November 16 Housing + Health - Next Steps forum on the topic. we heard from a panel of experts who are working with families who are experiencing homelessness. They provided information from education, social services, emergency shelter and health care perspectives. It was eye-opening, to say the least, as they outlined the problem and recommended changes. Click here to watch this entire panel discussion on our website.

This month, our Keep Austin Affordable video feature is a story that is all too common in our city. By the time Jamie Lopez reached middle school age, her family life was in turmoil. They struggled with poverty and homelessness which contributed to her poor performance in school. As she prepared for high school, her home life was uprooted again by domestic violence. In this video, you'll find out why moving into the SAFE Alliance shelter and its charter school sparked a transformation for Jamie. Watch her story on our website.

There are still a few days left to register early and save if you're planning to attend the Housing + Economic Opportunity Summit we are hosting on February 9 in conjunction with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. We have assembled an all-star lineup of experts on urban planning, social services, workforce development, real estate, finance and other areas that can be instrumental in creating more economic mobility. Keynote speaker Rolf Pendall of the Urban Institute will explain how our low-income neighbors can be adversely affected if cities don't effectively manage their growth trends, land-use planning and affordable housing policies and programs. Find out more about the summit on our website.