Leadership Council
Collaborative leadership
Leadership Council is the governing body for Austin/Travis County’s Homelessness Response System. The Council is made up of people with firsthand experience of homelessness, service providers, local government leaders, and community equity advocates. The group is responsible for setting and upholding best practices, policies, and procedures for organizations that provide services to unhoused people in our community.
About Leadership Council
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Overview
Communities across the U.S. receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. These funds come with certain requirements, one of which is to create and facilitate a governing CoC Board to ensure the community works together toward solutions to end homelessness.
The CoC Board existed in Austin and Travis County as Membership Council until 2021. In 2020, our community initiated an extensive restructuring of the Board to center firsthand experience of homelessness and racial equity in both the composition and the guiding charge of the group. Stakeholders at our annual spring meeting approved the first slate of Leadership Council voting members in May 2021.
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Leadership Council Voting Members
Ashley Jones – Elected, Mental Health/Substance Use
Amanda Jasso – Appointed, City of Austin Equity Office
Candace McGary – Elected
Tim Mercer – Elected
Coni Stogner – Elected, HUD Funded Provider
David Gray – Appointed, City of Austin Homeless Strategy Office
Dylan Shubitz (Co-Chair) – Appointed, Public Housing Authority (HACA)
Ebonie Trice – Elected, System Partner
Jacob Emerson – Elected
Dr. Larry Wallace, Jr. – Elected, Healthcare/Disability
Linda Jackson – Elected
Liz Baker (Co-Chair) – Elected, System Partner
Monique Coleman – Appointed Delegate, Travis County
Paola Silvestre – Elected, Education/Workforce Development
Apply for Leadership Council
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Voting Seats
According to the CoC Board Selection Policy, Leadership Council voting seats are reserved as follows:
HRS Leadership Council Seat Category Number/ Seat Types Seat Terms Government
1. Local Government Representative - Travis County
2. City of Austin Homeless Strategy Officer
3. City of Austin Equity Office and/or Civil Rights Office3 Appointed Seats No term Limit Public Housing Authority Representative: Housing
Authority City of Austin (HACA)1 Appointed Seat No Term Limit Homeless Response System Providers
1. HUD funded Provider
2. Provider NOT a recipient of HUD funds2 Elected Seats 2-year min to 3-
year maxHealthcare and/or Disability 1 Elected Seat 2-year min to 3-
year maxMental Health/Substance Abuse 1 Elected Seat 2-year min to 3-
year maxEducation or Workforce Development 1 Elected Seat 2-year min to 3-
year maxOther Funders (Elected) 1 Elected Seat 2-year min to 3-
year maxPersons with Lived Expertise of Homelessness
1. Youth or Young Adult Community Advocate w/ Lived
Experience of Homelessness
2. Community Advocate w/ Lived Experience of
Homelessness
3. Community Advocate w/ Lived Experience of
Homelessness3 Elected Seats 2-year min to 3-
year maxOther
To ensure maximum representation, the “Other” seats prioritize
candidates that increase diverse stakeholder representation.0 or 2 Seats Elected
Membership must equal
an odd number2-year min to 3-
year max
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Committees & Workgroups
One of Leadership Council’s duties is to oversee the activities of Committees and Workgroups. Currently there are five standing committees that create workgroups as needed for specific Committee tasks. Visit each Committee page for more information and meeting materials.
Crisis Response Permanent Housing Equity Performance Monitoring System Improvement
Unless otherwise noted, all Committee and Workgroup meetings are open to the public. Find links to join virtually at the meeting calendar below.
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Committee/Workgroup Voting Member Interest Form
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Our Work
Leadership Council is responsible for developing, approving, and enforcing policies, procedures, written standards, and best practices for projects that are funded through our local Continuum of Care (CoC). Some additional funders in our community, including the City of Austin, often require projects they fund to follow these same standards.
Approved Policies, Procedures, Written Standards, & Best Practices
2023-24 Governance Roadmap Progress Dashboard (PDF)
[Review the 2023-24 Governance Roadmap here (PDF)]
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Guiding Documents
Governance Charter (PDF)
2025-26 Leadership Council Roadmap (PDF)
Shared Values and Group Agreements (PDF)
Compensation Policy for Governance Participants (PDF) (Approved July 2024)
Code of Conduct (PDF)
Meetings
Leadership Council meets publicly monthly on the first Monday of each month from 12-2 p.m. Committees and Workgroups meet publicly according to the schedules of voting members and/or group leads.
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Leadership Council Agendas and Minutes
Year Month Agenda Minutes Additional Materials 2025 May Agenda (PDF) CE RRH Prioritization Recommendation Discussion
CE Workgroup RRH Prioritization Memo to Council
Housing Connector Presentation
PIP RevisionsApril Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) CoA Action Plan Assessment
PLE Compensation UpdateMarch Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) February Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) January Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF)
Submit a Leadership Council Agenda Item