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Austin
Memo offers first peek at recipients of guaranteed income program
Early data from the city’s guaranteed income pilot program show that the $1,000 monthly payments are reaching residents with acute financial needs and varying degrees of housing instability. A memo released last week by the Equity Office included some of…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 8, 2022
City seeks applicants to help craft five-year food system plan
The city has opened its application process for members of the advisory committee that will help the Office of Sustainability draft a comprehensive food plan for the city, with the goal of addressing food insecurity for vulnerable Austin residents. The Community…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 14, 2022
Is Austin still weird?
“Is Austin becoming less like itself?” As four local politicians – Travis County Judge Andy Brown, County Attorney Delia Garza, Mayor Steve Adler and state Rep. Sheryl Cole – attempted to answer Austin American-Statesman reporter Ryan Autullo’s question at the Texas…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Sep 27, 2022
Esperanza's hiatus underscores city's lack of shelter options for homeless campers
The staff at the Camp Esperanza site in Southeast Austin that is currently under construction to provide permanent small homes to formerly homeless residents acknowledge they will likely continue to receive visits from people they are unable to help for…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 26, 2022
Austin Animal Center is restricting intake because its kennels are full
Austin Animal Center is temporarily restricting intake starting Tuesday because the shelter is over capacity. The city-owned animal shelter is urging people to help by fostering or adopting pets from the shelter. The shelter currently has more than 700 animals,…
Austin • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Sep 13, 2022
Nearly half of homeless residents exit HEAL program without housing
Despite the city’s work to move those living in homeless encampments into permanent housing, nearly half of all temporary shelter inhabitants exit the system and return to homelessness. One hundred and two people – 48 percent of those moved into shelter…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 12, 2022
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Black dispossession study starts to quantify cost of city's 1928 master plan
The city’s 1928 master plan, which effectively legalized segregation in Austin and limited public services for Black residents to a newly created “Negro District” east of what is now Interstate 35, has cost Black homeowners in just five neighborhoods –…
Austin • By Emma Freer • Sep 6, 2022
Black Fund organizers unveil plans for grants with first $1M raised
A new fund aimed at helping Black-led organizations in Austin has raised its first $1 million, with plans to begin awarding the first block of grants totaling $350,000 early next year. The Black Fund is an effort organized by leaders…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 31, 2022
Austin loses advocate for the environment and people
Jack Goodman, who worked to convince the Texas Legislature to create a conservation district to help protect Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer and then served on that district’s board for 22 years, died Aug. 24 after a lengthy illness.…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Aug 30, 2022
Demand for skilled workers drives District 1 jobs training program
With job growth in Austin stronger than ever, and most analysts naming the region as one of the best job markets in the nation, Workforce Solutions Capital Area is trying to make traditionally underserved communities aware of the job training…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 17, 2022
Proposal to audit animal shelter fuels debate about choice of auditor
Austin’s Animal Services Office, which runs the Austin Animal Center, will soon be audited, per a recent resolution approved by City Council. The Office of the City Auditor will report on the department’s effectiveness and bring in an expert on…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Aug 9, 2022
More public art is headed to the hike-and-bike trail
For the past several years, a moratorium has prevented the installment of any new public artworks in the vicinity of Austin’s hike-and-bike trail and Lady Bird Lake. With the expiration of that moratorium, the Trail Foundation, which has taken over…
