Mutual aid is the cooperative exchange of resources and services among people to meet each other's needs. It’s grassroots, horizontal organizing where community members support one another, especially when existing institutions fail to meet community needs.

In July, HOCTX Mutual Aid responded to the needs of neighbors devastated by the Central Texas flood. We raised over $60k for mutual aid and housing needs and gathered and directed donations from individuals and companies (including a helicopter and convoys from out of state).

In the absence of rapid-response housing for flood victims who had lost their homes and RVs, we stepped up to provide hotel housing for more than 40 individuals and families for a week to 3+ months. You can support the ongoing needs of families still trying to recover from the flood by donating here. The money from this fundraiser goes directly to flood-impacted Texans.

Supporting our unhoused neighbors: We were generously overwhelmed with hygiene kit donations in July, and have been handing out these excess hygiene kits to our unhoused neighbors. We have handed out over 100 kits with water, snacks, and basic hygiene items so far. Kits are a “band-aid” to the greater issues of homelessness and disenfranchisement, but they do meet immediate needs for our most vulnerable neighbors. The team also takes meals to local neighbors living outside. Interested in helping with HOCTX mutual aid? Note that when you fill out the volunteer form!

Post-disaster response, the HOCTX Mutual Aid team is gearing up for the 2025-2026 winter season. Low temperatures and overnight freezes are incredibly dangerous for our community members without safe, heated housing. Please donate to our Mutual Aid Fund so we can provide blankets, coats, food, and more to the most vulnerable Austin residents. Stay tuned for a weekend supply drop-off in early December!