In April 2026, Convene hosted a Community Conversation at NA24.  Participants shared lived experiences and perspectives related to navigating recovery systems, finding safe and stable housing, and accessing programs designed to support long-term wellness and stability.

A major theme throughout the discussion was that accessing support often feels more difficult than it did in previous years. Participants described increased barriers to services, including long wait times, strict eligibility requirements, scholarship limitations, background restrictions, and challenges navigating fragmented systems. Community members shared that delays in hearing back from programs or losing placements without clear next steps can leave individuals feeling uncertain, unstable, and at risk of returning to unsafe situations or homelessness.

Participants also reflected on the importance of safe, supportive recovery-centered spaces within Travis County.  Peer support spaces where individuals feel welcomed and supported in recovery were reported as very valuable for participants.

Community members identified a need to expand programs that are safe, stable, and supportive, helping individuals get back on their feet while providing structure and housing stability during recovery. Participants emphasized that programs offering low-barrier access to safe housing can play a significant role in long-term recovery and stability.

At the same time, participants discussed several areas where current systems are falling short. Community members described concerns about limited transitional housing, restrictive sober living requirements, and gaps in communication between services and providers. Participants also emphasized that many systems lack lived experience representation and do not always reflect the realities people face while navigating recovery, housing instability, legal involvement, or financial hardship.

Housing and service coordination emerged as key priorities throughout the conversation. Participants discussed the need to expand outreach efforts, increase transitional housing opportunities, improve access to existing recovery spaces, and strengthen programs. Community members also emphasized the importance of streamlining access to resources such as food assistance, healthcare, transportation, and recovery support.

Another major theme was the importance of low-barrier and flexible approaches to care. Participants discussed the need for programs that provide immediate support, including food, shelter, and safe spaces, without requiring participation in therapy or medication-based treatment as a condition of receiving help. Community members emphasized that recovery looks different for everyone and that systems should allow individuals greater flexibility in determining what supports work best for them.

Participants also highlighted the need for expanded education and prevention efforts, particularly around alcohol and substance use. Increased access to therapy-based services, stronger outreach efforts, and more community education were identified as important opportunities for improvement.

The conversation also explored which groups may be facing the greatest barriers to support in Travis County. Participants identified individuals with felony or violent offense histories, uninsured individuals, people with pets, and individuals navigating multiple barriers at once, including housing instability, legal challenges, and financial hardship, as groups who often struggle to access services.

Throughout the discussion, participants emphasized the importance of building “in-between” support systems that help individuals maintain stability while working toward recovery. Community members expressed concern that programs sometimes remove individuals from services without ensuring stable next steps, which can contribute to cycles of instability and return to substance use.

Overall, the conversation reinforced the importance of creating a community-centered, low-barrier approach to recovery that prioritizes safe housing, accessibility, flexibility, and long-term stability. Participants emphasized that sustainable recovery systems should be inclusive of people with diverse needs and backgrounds while focusing on practical, person-centered support.

Key Takeaways

• Participants described increased barriers to accessing support, including long wait times, strict eligibility requirements, and fragmented service systems.
• Safe, supportive recovery-centered spaces were identified as valuable community resources.
• Community members emphasized the importance of expanding transitional housing, outreach efforts, and low-barrier recovery support programs.
• Participants highlighted the need for more flexible, needs-based approaches that prioritize stability without requiring one specific pathway to recovery.
• Individuals with criminal records, uninsured individuals, people with pets, and those facing multiple overlapping barriers were identified as groups struggling to access services.
• Participants emphasized that successful recovery systems should focus on long-term stability, accessibility, inclusion, and community-centered support.