A Home for HAAM
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians purchases permanent home in South Austin
With the generosity of its donors, partners, and the community, HAAM announces the purchase of a building to serve as permanent home; also kicks off the final portion of capital campaign
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Today, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) announces the purchase of a 7,134 square foot office building in Central Austin — 3036 South 1st Street. This initiative was put into motion following a generous legacy gift from Robin and Bud Shivers - Robin Shivers founded HAAM in 2005 to address the previously unmet healthcare needs of low-income working Austin musicians. This week also launches the public facing portion of the organization’s $6 million capital campaign.
HAAM provides a lifeline to Austin musicians, and since 2005, has helped nearly 6,000 members access more than $113 million in healthcare services, ranging from primary and specialty care, dental, vision, hearing, mental health and other services.
“This building will be so much more than just an office,” said HAAM’s CEO, Paul Scott. “Our new home will be a welcoming and collaborative environment for clients to receive HAAM's care and services, featuring a Musician's Resource Lounge and dedicated stage for intimate performances by Austin's amazing musicians!”
Austin’s Economic success is directly correlated to the music community and the culture it provides Central Austin. In a city that is increasingly expensive to live in, HAAM continues to provide a necessary lifeline to the musicians that make Austin the “Live Music Capital of the World.” By providing critical healthcare services, HAAM has made it possible for musicians to stay in Austin, creating the art they are so passionate about, and we all enjoy.
HAAM’s unique delivery model serves as a high-touch and high-impact care management, providing access and navigation to comprehensive whole health services for 1/3 (more than 2,700) of Austin’s working musicians. Our success has driven an increased demand for services.
Every day, more and more musicians come to us with new needs—and HAAM provides healthcare and a supporting hand to as many as we possibly can. Since 2015, HAAM membership has increased by 46%, and we are working hard to keep our funding in line with that growth.
“To continue our growth and meet the rising need, we need efficient infrastructure to support all 8,000+ Austin musicians,” said Scott. “Providing additional needed support and care for our musicians requires adding additional staff while maximizing the efficiency of our current staff. Our current infrastructure and physical space limits our ability to grow in either capacity.”
The capital project and planned space will make current HAAM member’s lives better by providing access to medical care with dignity, provided in a warm and inviting space that feels like a community hub. The expanded physical footprint of our new space will also allow us to add additional program staff allowing for us to enroll new clients while ensuring that HAAM healthcare heroes can provide compassionate and focused care on clients by maintaining manageable client rosters.
The expansion in programs will continue to save lives, while maximizing the communities healthcare dollars by ensuring low-income working musicians are receiving efficient, cost effective care. HAAM will be able to provide additional services such as a musicians resource hub to address food insecurities, a hearing screening room, access to computers and wifi, as well as space for musician education and wellness training.
3036 South 1st Street was selected and purchased for both location and conditions of the current building. Located in close proximity to key entertainment districts (1 mile from South Congress and South Lamar, 2.3 miles to downtown Austin, 4.9 miles to Red River District) the location will offer musicians a convenient hub for services, with ample access to parking and mass transit.
“The capital campaign will help support the purchase and renovation of the new home for HAAM,” said Matt Long, HAAM Board member and Capital Campaign Committee member. “75% of our $6 million campaign has already been either donated or pledged, and now we publicly turn to our friends and partners in the community to help us bridge the gap. The Central Texas community has always been generous to its musicians, and we hope this is no exception!”
As aforementioned, a generous legacy gift of nearly $2.7 million was given by the Shiver’s family to be used toward the purchase of a permanent home for the organization. The St. David’s Foundation also approved funding $1.25 million as a capital gift as well as a challenge grant. The Topher Family Foundation and Cayetano Development have also generously donated $100,000 toward HAAM’s capital campaign. $4.4 of the $6 million dollars have already been raised.
The new building is expected to be fully operational by the end of Q3 2022. The establishment of a permanent, long-term home for HAAM will secure a key pillar in the health and culture of Austin.
For more information about the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians and how to donate or get involved, please visit www.myhaam.org.