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Austin
Meeting lays out plan for ARPA funds allocated to alleviate homelessness
On Monday, the Homeless Strategy Office hosted a community meeting to discuss the proposed spending plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funds directed toward helping the homeless community in Austin. The city intends to invest $106.7 million from ARPA…
Austin • By Anna Kate Browne • Oct 21, 2021
New report underscores inequities for Latinos in Central Texas
Systemic and racial barriers have made it harder for the Latino community to excel in Central Texas, according to a new report from the Hispanic Impact Fund of the Austin Community Foundation. Building a Thriving Central Texas: Advancing Latino Futures takes…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Oct 18, 2021
Downtown business report finds problems for daytime demand, music venues
A new report on Austin’s downtown economy finds that there is a persistent weakness in weekday business, and that entertainment businesses concentrated around East Sixth and Red River streets have been slow to recover from effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 15, 2021
Study reveals positive developments for LGBT Austinites
On Tuesday, Austin’s LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission presented its first ever LGBTQIA+ quality of life study to City Council. Overall, the report paints a nuanced but optimistic picture for LGBT Austinites. The report, which has been in the works…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 14, 2021
Airport continues to enhance accessibility for all travelers
There’s a lot more to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport than wheelchair access. Last Thursday, City Council’s Mobility Committee was briefed on how travel to and from Austin is – or sometimes isn’t…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Oct 13, 2021
Homeless Strategy Office gears up to launch second phase of HEAL initiative
Following the success of its pilot program this past summer, Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office is moving forward with its four-part plan to tackle the city’s homelessness crisis. Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey briefed the Public Health Committee last Wednesday on…
Austin • By Kali Bramble • Oct 8, 2021
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UT report says Austin could be more welcoming to immigrants
The city’s Equity Office is supporting the findings of a recent report published by University of Texas researchers who found there is work to be done to increase the economic and civic participation of immigrants locally. The report, titled “Advancing…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 6, 2021
What happened to Austin's 24/7 restaurants, cafes and coffee shops?
Austin, over the course of its storied history, has developed a thriving hospitality scene. There is no shortage of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes that show the diversity and breadth of the city. Among this grand selection, some of the…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Sep 16, 2021
Animal commission seeks to illuminate the city’s no-kill policy
The Animal Advisory Commission voted unanimously Monday to form a committee to monitor Austin’s no-kill policy, while maintaining the move was not a reflection on city leadership. But first, City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee will need to approve the…
Austin • By Amy Smith • Sep 15, 2021
City's HEAL team moves four encampments to bridge shelters
In the wake of the reinstated camping ban this past May, stakes have risen considerably for those at the helm of the effort to rehouse Austin’s homeless population. Nonetheless, Project HEAL – the Homeless Encampment Assistance Link – which City…
Austin • By Kali Bramble • Sep 13, 2021
Addressing affordability no easy task in Austin
During last week’s speech on the state of the city, Mayor Steve Adler identified issues the city has been grappling with, including defeating Covid and homelessness. He also pointed out the next big issues the city must tackle in order…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Sep 8, 2021
The census in Austin: homelessness, housing and schoolchildren
It’s hard to overstate the importance of the census, especially on a local level. As city demographer Lila Valencia told the Austin Monitor, “The census touches so many aspects of our lives, from our representation at our nation’s capital, to local representation…
