The City of Birmingham has approved measures to establish a dedicated daytime respite centre aimed at people experiencing homelessness, officials confirmed this week. The facility, to be known as Birmingham Oasis, is planned for a small parcel of land at 600 3rd Avenue North and is expected to open in late September.
What the council approved
Councillors authorised a set of agreements that together provide the site and the funding to get Birmingham Oasis running. Key elements approved are:
- A three-year ground lease for approximately 0.21 acres at 600 3rd Avenue North, with total lease payments of $50,000 across the term.
- A separate operating contract worth $600,000 with the charity Urban Alchemy to manage the centre for an initial 12-month period, funded via the City’s Opioid Abatement Programme.
Purpose and services
Birmingham Oasis is being developed as a daytime respite hub where outreach teams, healthcare providers, recovery support and housing services can work together. The intention is to create a single, co‑ordinated point of access so that people rough sleeping are linked to treatment, primary care and housing options without being shuffled between multiple agencies.
“Homelessness cannot be solved with a single program or by simply asking people to move from one place to another,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “Our strategy is to meet people where they are, connect them to the services they need, and help them transition into stable housing.”
How this fits into wider efforts
The initiative forms part of a broader, multi-year city strategy to reduce homelessness. Since taking office, Mayor Woodfin’s administration has increased investments and partnerships aimed at preventing and ending rough sleeping. Documented measures include the launch of a unit called Home for All, a municipal investment of $3 million to bolster homelessness services and an expansion of outreach carried out jointly with non-profits and regional providers.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Site | 600 3rd Avenue North (approx. 0.21 acres) |
| Lease cost | $50,000 over three years |
| Operating agreement | $600,000 for initial 12 months with Urban Alchemy |
| Opening (expected) | Late September |
Practical implications
For people working in outreach, healthcare and social services, the new hub is intended to simplify referrals and provide a visible, day‑time location where needs can be assessed and ongoing support arranged. For residents and businesses, city leaders say the model should improve outcomes for individuals while reducing visible street homelessness in neighbourhoods and public spaces.
Urban Alchemy was chosen to run the site following a procurement process. The agreement is funded through an opioid abatement allocation, reflecting a focus on combining housing, recovery and healthcare in a single response.
The city’s approach underlines an acceptance among local leaders that reducing homelessness requires multiple, co‑ordinated interventions rather than single, short‑term measures.
