The Houston Area Women’s Center has broken ground on the first phase of a planned $45 million expansion and renovation project, which the nonprofit said was needed to keep up with the increased demand for temporary housing for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking.

The initial phase of the project will see the organization build a new four-story shelter at 3077 El Camino St. that will effectively triple the amount of beds HAWC can provide to women and their children escaping violence. HAWC’s existing shelter has 120 beds; the new 15,000-square-foot facility will have 360 beds. 

The new campus will also include an elementary school approved by Houston Independent School District and a child care center for shelter residents.

GSMA is the architect for the new facility, and Camden Builders is the contractor. Both are based in Houston.