Founded in 1986, Casa Marianella (Casa) is the only homeless shelter in Austin dedicated to immigrants. Casa operates four housing programs and provides free immigration legal services, an onsite benefits clinic, and ESL classes. They serve single adults, families, multigenerational households, and asylees needing transitional housing. Casa's comprehensive support system helps newly-arrived immigrants move with dignity from crisis into self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

The Impact Austin grant is unrestricted and awarded with a trust-based approach. Casa Marianella proposes to fulfill demand for immigration legal services and replace City funding losses. Our grant would support hiring two additional attorneys, two Accredited Representatives, and several legal assistants to support asylum cases, deportation defenses, visa applications, and more. Furthermore, the grant would maintain 2026 shelter operations and wrap-around services, while moving 300 people into shelter. The goal would have 80% of residents leave Casa with affordable housing and steady income.