AUSTIN, Texas — Experts say options for safe housing in Austin are more limited than ever before. However, a new family violence shelter should make a big difference.

The Austin City Council recently voted to purchase and renovate a hotel that will be used as a shelter for family violence survivors. The vote marks the first time in 10 years Austin has added a new family violence shelter space.

When she had nowhere to go, Lyndoria Body slept in her car. Sleeping in her car is what Body had to do to escape family violence. 

"I would just recline all the way back and I would just pray and I'd think about the good things. I had to stay alert," Body said. "I had to stay. I just had to stay on guard until things changed."

Today, things have changed. Thanks to help from Foundation Communities, Body recently moved into a new apartment. 

"After over about a year of not having a place that I could call home and come home to, it just hit me and it's real," Body said.

Before this moment, Body moved from shelter to shelter and lived in and out of her car.

When she could, the Central Texas mom stayed at The SAFE Alliance's family violence shelter. However, there wasn't always space. The 30-room shelter has a constant waitlist. 

"I was just getting out of a situation that was not healthy," Body said. "I would have to call every week and do an update. And it took about six weeks for me to get called to come into that shelter."

Soon, the process should be easier for people like Body. SAFE co-CEO Julia Spann is excited about the recent vote directing the purchase of a hotel. 

"Our community has a desperate need for additional shelter. And for victims of family violence, they are not only fleeing homelessness but they're fleeing abuse. And so it's a serious safety issue," said Spann.

SAFE will operate the new shelter.

"Our capacity desperately needed to be expanded. On any given day, today for example, we have 36 adults and 17 children who are waiting for shelter," Spann said.

This new shelter, once renovated, will have 50 additional rooms, allowing SAFE to respond to the needs of the community.

"Things will get better. And of course they have. I have a beautiful place to call home," Body said. 

Spann says whether the shelter is full or not, it is extremely important for family violence survivors to call the SAFEline if they are in danger or unsure about their situation.

The SAFEline is available 24/7 by phone at 512.267.SAFE (7233), text at 737.888.7233, or chat at safeaustin.org/chat.