Community Overview

November, 2005

Updates on economic, demographic, and social changes in Austin-Travis County

ECONOMY:

LOCAL

• The number of Austin-area home foreclosure postings is down 5 percent from the first 10 months of 2004, which was a record year for central Texas. October 2005 postings are down 2 percent from last October. Only Bastrop County has seen an increase, which was 12 percent from 2004. Houses posted for auction in Travis County are down 7 percent from last year although up 70 percent from 2002. Williamson County postings are down 6 percent from last year although up 97 percent from 2002. (Austin American Statesman, 9-17-05 .)
• In Austin, Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings are up 1,200 percent compared with all of last year due to the new law that makes it harder to file for bankruptcy. Filings with Chapter 13, the second most common type, are up 13 percent. (Austin American Statesman, 10-12-05 .)

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STATE

• State sales tax totaled $1,334.3 million in September 2005. Compared with the $1,168.2 million collected in September 2004, this represents an increase of 14.2 percent. ( http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/salestax/.)

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NATIONAL

• Nationally, bankruptcy filings hit a record in October 2005 of 102,863 in one week . The average number of national weekly filings was typically 30,000 until the new Chapter 7 law came into effect in October 2005. (Austin American Statesman, 10-12-05 .)
• According to the US Census Bureau, the number of Americans who fell into poverty in 2004 rose to 37 million up 1.1 million from 2003. The Census Bureau also shows that the number of people without health insurance increased by 800,000 to 45.8 million people. (The Associated Press, 8-30-05 .)

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EMPLOYMENT:

LOCAL

• In September 2005, the number of employed people in Travis County increased to 486,586, up from 461,402 in September 2003. In September 2005, the unemployment rate in Travis County was 4.9%, a decrease from the September 2003 rate which was 6.1 percent. (http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/labForceReport.asp?menuchoice=LABFORCE.)
• In August 2005, Central Texas experienced the lowest job growth rate since May 2004. Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell and Bastrop began the year with a 3 percent job growth rate. In August of 2005 the job growth rate was 1.9 percent. (Austin American Statesman, 9-12-05 .)
• In August 2005 the unemployment rate in Central Texas was 4.3 percent compared to 5 percent in August of 2004. There has not been a lower unemployment rate since May 2001 at 3.8 percent. (Austin American Statesman, 9-12-05.)

  

• WorkSource Career Centers received 54,869 customer visits in August 2005. This is a 4,577 increase from July 2005 visits. As of September, WorkSource Career Centers have received 303,225 customer visits for 2005. A total of 225,587 customer visits were reported in 2004. This year’s increase already surpasses last year by 77,638 customer visits. (WorkSource News, September 2005.)
• As of October, 1,664 people have been laid off in 2005. There were 2,122 layoffs in 2004. (WorkSource – Greater Austin Area Workforce Board.)

  

• According to the 2005 Labor Market Indicator Survey, within the next 12 months over half the organizations that responded to the survey expect to be hiring (Greater Austin Area Labor Market Indicator Survey, 2005.)

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STATE

The unemployment rate in Texas for September 2005 was 5.7 which decreased from 6.0 in September 2004 and 6.7 in September 2003. From July to August 2005 there was a sharp increase from 5.0 to 5.7. (http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/labForceReport.asp? menuchoice=LABFORCE.)

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NATIONAL

• Nationwide, the American Psychological Association estimates that 8,800 people leave the mental health profession each year, with only 2,500 coming out of colleges and universities to replace them. In a report released earlier this year, the association warned that, without financial support from Congress, there will be fewer highly trained psychologists to meet the public need. (Newhouse News Service, 10-23-05 .)

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DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES

• As a percentage, Austin ranks 38 th in the US for cities with extreme poverty. Extreme poverty neighborhoods are considered to be neighborhoods where 40 percent of families have income below the federal poverty threshold. In Austin, 5.9 percent of poor people live in extreme poverty, which constitutes only two Census tracts on the east side. Approximately 12 more neighborhoods have Census tracts with more than 30 percent poverty, most of them in east Austin. (Austin American Statesman, 10-12-05 ).
• In Travis County , 13% of people were in poverty in 2004. Additionally, 13.9% of children under age 18 and 7% of senior citizens were below the poverty level. ( http://factfinder.census.gov )
• According to the US Census Bureau report Living Arrangements of Children: 2001, of the 67.6% of children who live with married parents, 10.1% of them live below poverty level. Of the 4% of children living with neither parent, 31% are below poverty level. Of the 22.5% children living with an unmarried mother, 36.7% of them are living under the poverty level, and of the 3% of children living with an unmarried father, 16.4% of them are under the poverty level. ( http://www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/p70-104.pdf.)
• In 2004 the total Travis County school enrollment was 231,000 children. 26,000 children were enrolled in preprimary schools and elementary and high school enrollment was 131,000 children. College enrollment was 74,000. (http//:factfinder.census.gov.)

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DEMAND INDICATORS:

Basic Needs:

• According to the July 2004 – June 2005 (pre-Katrina) 2-1-1 Texas Community Needs and Trends Report , requests for basic needs decreased in 04-05 by 13% from the previous year. Health Care (up 8%), Legal Services (up 2%), Individual and Family Life (up 1%) and Specific Agency Info (5%) increased. Income Security (down 1%) and Education (down 1%) decreased. (United Way Capital Area – 2-1-1 Texas )

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Housing:

• A USA TODAY analysis of a Department of Housing and Urban Development survey reported 727,304 people living homeless across the nation in June 2004, meaning one in 400 Americans. The analysis by USA TODAY showed the hardest-to-help men and women make up 25% of the homeless population, an increase of 10 to 15 % from previous estimations. The largest and fastest growing homeless population is families with children, making up 42% of the total. ( http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20051012/ts_usatoday/nationtakinganewlookathomelessnesssolutions.)
• According to the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force, on average, low-income people with disabilities are paying 109% of their monthly SSI income to rent a one-bedroom apartment and 96% to rent an efficiency apartment at fair market value. ( http://www.fdncenter.org, 9-12-05 .)
• Despite rising mortgage interest rates and a slowing job growth rate, the area housing market has been highly active. Starts were up 21 percent compared to a year ago and closings were up 26 percent, setting a record in the 12 months ending this September. (Austin American Statesman, 10-6-05 .)

The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,475, nonmortgaged owners $510, and renters $757. Thirty-four percent of owners with mortgages, 9 percent of owners without mortgages, and 50 percent of renters in Travis County spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing. (http://factfinder.census.gov/)

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Physical and Mental Health:

• A total of 16,847 Central Texas children were enrolled in CHIP as of August 1, 2005.
  

  County	CHIP Enrollment 9/05	CHIP Enrollment 9/04	Change from last year
  Bastrop	1,148	1,210	+62
  Blanco	130	126	+4
  Burnet	676	670	+6
  Caldwell	635	738	-103
  Fayette	396	427	-31
  Hays	1,508	1,473	+35
  Lee	260	333	-73
  Travis	8,610	8,650	-40
  Williamson	3,575	3,622	-47
  TOTAL	16,938	17,254	-316

  (http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/research/CHIP/ChipDataTables.html)
• The total number of Central Texas children enrolled in Medicaid as of September 2005 is 80,990 . In August of 2004 the total enrollment was 77,231. ( http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/research/dssi.htm#med. )
• Health care premiums in 2005 increased an average of 9.2%, down from the 13.9% peak in 2003. (Austin American Statesman, 9-15-05 .)
• According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, formerly the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, about 22 percent of state prison inmates in 2004 were once MHMR clients. The Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical and Mental Impairments reports that one in five inmates could have some type of mental illness. ( McAllen Monitor, 10-12-05 .)
• Austin Travis County MHMR Center’s Behavioral Health Services has a waiting list of 585 adults needing mental health services as of September 24, 2005. (ATCMHMR.)
• During October 2005 the Austin State Hospital and Austin Travis County MHMR programs, The Inn and 23 Hour Observation, have been full. Travis County is allocated 54 beds per day for indigent or uninsured individuals, down from 78 beds.  A number of community beds are being reallocated by the Department of State Health Services for forensic purposes. (ATCMHMR.)

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Early Education and Care, Education, and Workforce Development

• According to the College Board, college costs rose faster than inflation this year, as they have for a decade. Four-year private colleges cost 5.9 percent more this year (or $21,235), the same increase as last year. Four-year universities tuition cost growth slowed last year to 7.1 percent or $5,491. Last year, public school tuition increased by 10.5 percent. ( www.money.cnn.com, 10-18-05 .)
• The number of high school seniors in Austin who took the SAT in 2004-2005 increased by 11 percent from the previous year. Average scores increased four points to a combined 1036, with a 510 average score on the verbal section and a 526 on the math section. Statewide averages in 2004-2005 were a combined 995 and the national average was a combined 1028. SAT testing averages in Austin increased for Asian, African American, Caucasian and Hispanic high school seniors in 2004-2005.Asian students scored an average of 65 points higher this year over last year, resulting in a score of 1124. African Americans increased by 21 points this year averaging a score of 846. Caucasian students increased by 25 points to 1144. Hispanic students scored a 930 on average, a 14-point increase over last year. (Austin American Statesman, 10-13-05 .)
• The University of Texas preliminary enrollment for fall 2005 is 49,791, which is down by 600 students as compared to this time last year. This number includes 450 students displaced by Hurricanes. ( www.news8austin.com, 10-3-05 .)
• WorkSource is providing child care support for 3,271 children. There are an additional 3,749 children on a waiting list. (WorkSource CCS September 2005 report)

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Public Safety:

• The number of children removed from homes in Texas due to family substance abuse between September 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005 was 10,059 which is 54 percent of the total number of removals according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In 2004, 661 children were removed from homes in Austin due to family substance abuse as compared to 754 children in 2005. A caseworker from the Austin Children’s Shelter reported a spike in June and July of the number of children who were there from homes where methamphetamine (meth) was being made or used. As of August, 2005, meth is the only drug listed as one of the risk factors that determines whether a child should be removed. (Austin American Statesman, 10-10-05 .)
• Alcohol-related fatalities decreased in 2004 by 7 percent. Safety belt use in Texas is up by 14 percent since 2001. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that they expect 3,000 fewer injuries every year and 185 fewer traffic fatalities. Despite the decline in fatalities and increase in seatbelt use, Texas still leads the nation in traffic fatalities with 3,583 in 2004. (Austin American Statesman, 10-13-05 .)
• The number of women killed due to domestic violence was reduced by 25 % in 2004, according to the Texas Council on Family Violence. From 1998 to 2003 the number of domestic violence deaths increased from 110 to 140 in Texas . The number of reports however increased from 175,725 to 185,299. ( www.news8austin.com, 10-3-05 .)
• In the 2004-2005 school year, the Expect Respect School-Based Services program of Safe Place provided counseling to 448 youth affected by domestic, sexual and dating violence, of which 288 participated in support group counseling. The program also provided professional training on prevention of bullying, sexual harassment and dating violence to 3,215 individuals, and over 1,540 youth participated in presentations on preventing sexual harassment and promoting healthy relationships. The need for Expect Respect services remains high, as shown by the approximately 20 schoolscurrently on a waiting list to receive support group counseling services. ( Safe Place )

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RESOURCES:

• Austin ’s homeless are receiving free eye exams and glasses through the Right to Sight Clinic in the Trinity Center downtown. The clinic is staffed by volunteer optometrists one morning a week – soon to be two. ( www.news8austin.com, 10-6-05 .)
• The name of the Quarry Hill Endowment, Children in Crisis, has been changed to The Fund for Children in Crisis. Contact for this fund is Lila Carl .
• Meals on Wheels and More Inc. was awarded the Nonprofit Business Commitment to Community at the Fifth Annual GACC Business Awards. ( Austin Business Journal, August 26 – September 1, 2005 .)
• The National Mental Health Association is offering a free workbook to help Americans with Medicare enroll in the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2006. The workbook is available at www.nmha.org and can also be ordered by phone by calling the association's resource center at (800) 969-6642. People who want direct assistance with enrollment can call the resource center or their local mental health association. Enrollment in the prescription drug program starts Nov. 15, 2005. (Austin American Statesman, 10-25-05 .)
• America ’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth selected Austin as a winner of the first national competition for 100 Best Communities for Young People. Austin has received this honor partially because more than 50 community organizations provide counseling, mentoring, tutoring, technology training and college preparation to students, primarily those considered by the Texas Education Agency to be “at-risk.”
• The Impact Austin-funded Community Voicemail (CVM) project's new anticipated roll out date is January 31, 2006 , due to upgrades and improvements still being done by the parent CVM company in Seattle . (ATCMHMR.)
• Free computer classes, open to the whole community, are being offered By Skillpoint Alliance at the Airport WorkSource location. For a schedule of classes, other orientation dates or more information, call 323-6773 ext 122 or email . (WorkSource)
• The Allstate Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Safe Place in September in support of their Expect Respect school-based services program, which provides counseling for Austin-area school-aged youth hurt by sexual abuse, dating violence and domestic violence, as well as youth education and leadership services, and professional training. ( Safe Place )
• Safe Place received a $10,000 grant from the PacifiCare Foundation for the agency’s Child and Adolescent Counseling services, including individual, group and family therapy for youth and their families who have experienced sexual and domestic violence. ( Safe Place )

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KATRINA AND RITA COMMUNITY IMPACT

• The Red Cross received more than 10,000 applications for Katrina and Rita evacuee households in the Austin/Travis County area. FEMA applications across Texas totaled more than 134,000. (Travis County HHS&VS Department, Research and Planning, 10-20-05 .)
• An estimated 1,255 hurricane evacuees enrolled in Central Texas school districts. (Travis County HHS&VS Department, Research and Planning, 10-20-05 .) 

• According to a CAN survey of apartment complexes in the Austin/Travis County area, more than 1274 units have been rented with the help of FEMA and Red Cross vouchers as of October 2005. A unit could be a family or 1 person.The three zip codes with the most units recorded are 78741 with more than 168 units in 16 apartment complexes, 78723 with more than 106 units in 10 apartment complexes and 78752 with 105 units in 5 apartment complexes. (Community Action Network )

Resources for Evacuees

• INSURE-A-KID help line is now connecting hurricane evacuees with health clinic services. Evacuees can call (512) 324-2447 to find a Central Texas health clinic. So far, this number has received over 1,000 calls.
• WorkSource received a $1,225,841 National Emergency Grant to provide individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina with job training, job search and childcare along with other support services. The grant also funds evacuee temporary positions helping local non-profit agencies with relief efforts.
• West Austin Caregivers (WAC) received a special Hurricane Katrina evacuee relief grant from The Junior League of Austin . This is for cab service for older adult evacuees 60 and over. Service can be requested for all medical needs, shopping, errands and personal business. All requests for this transportation service must be made through WAC, 472-6339.
• The Texas Department of State Health Services has established a toll free number family members can call to locate hospital and nursing home patients evacuated by the facility because of Hurricane Rita. People within Texas can call 1-877-623-6274 for location of displaced hospital and nursing home patients 24 hours a day. Those in Austin should call 512-458-7189. Callers need the name, date of birth and gender of the patient. In cooperation with the Texas Hospital Association, DSHS will provide the hospital name and location if available in its directory but not the patient's health status.
• KatrinaHealth.Org - A free and secure online service that can connect Katrina evacuees, doctors and pharmacists with important information about the prescription drugs that evacuees were taking before they were forced to flee their homes .

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WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

• Choose a local social service agency to support financially.
• Copy and distribute this document to help increase public awareness.
• Support the local economy by shopping at local businesses.
• Give to the United Way Capital Area’s Community Fund or the Austin Community Foundation’s Urgent Issues Fund.
• Contact the United Way Capital Area’s Volunteer Center at 211 or search for volunteer opportunities on United Way Capital Area’s website at http://www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org.
• Also see the 2001 CAN Urgent Issues Action Plan and other documents at caction.org for additional information about community-wide approaches to addressing these issues in our community.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Community Overview was researched and written by the Community Action Network, with assistance from numerous individuals in the community. We attempted to include all those who had a part in this undertaking, but if we have inadvertently omitted anyone, we apologize and ask that you inform us so that we may recognize you appropriately as the process continues.

LEAD WRITER:

Julia Cuba, Community Action Network

CONTRIBUTORS:

Lila Carl – The Fund for Children in Crisis
Malisa DiGiacomo – Safe Place
Courtney Fitzgerald – Travis County HHS&VS Department, Research & Planning
Marco Galvan – United Way Capital Area – 2-1-1 Texas Insure-A-Kid
Leanne James – WorkSource
Lawrence Lyman – Travis County HHS&VS Department, Research and Planning
Cristela Perez – Work Source
Andy Welch – AISD
David Wilkinson- Skillpoint Alliance
Mildred Vuris – ATCMHMR Center
Fred Butler, Sam Woollard, Brenda Ahrns – Community Action Network

COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK PARTNERS:

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