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 funds to house individuals and expand services offered to those experiencing homelessness. The meeting served […]
homelessness
Posted inCity Council
City adopts resolution to expedite supportive housing for homeless
City Council adopted a resolution in September establishing an expedited review and prioritization program for residential developments that provide housing for the homeless. Mayor Steve Adler sponsored the resolution, along with Council members Kathie Tovo, Ann Kitchen, Pio Renteria, and Greg Casar. “The origin of the proposal was a desire to get as many units […]
Posted inAustin
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 Project HEAL’s latest developments as it prepares to launch its second phase in November. Over […]
Posted inCity Hall
Report: City lacks complete list of homelessness agreements
The Office of the City Auditor reports that City Council initiated 47 resolutions, ordinances and other orders related to alleviating homelessness between September 2018 and May 2021. As a result of those directives, the city entered into at least 101 agreements, mostly with nonprofit organizations, to provide various homelessness services. Some of these agreements are still in […]
Posted inTravis County
County pledges more than $100 million to eradicate homelessness in three years
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court committed $110 million in federal funding toward housing the homeless. The money, sourced from a $247 million chunk of the American Rescue Plan Act funds designated for county assistance, will likely be administered via dozens of nonprofits, including Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Caritas of Austin, Integral Care, LifeWorks […]
Posted inAustin
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 Council adopted back in February, has moved full speed ahead with its plans to rehouse […]
Posted inCourts
Save Austin Now sues city, saying it isn’t fully enforcing ban on camping in public
The political action committee Save Austin Now and four business owners have filed a lawsuit against the city of Austin alleging it hasn’t been fully enforcing the ban on camping in public. Voters passed Proposition B in May. The petition-led initiative, organized by Save Austin Now, reinstated old rules surrounding homelessness, including a ban on camping in […]
Posted inCourts
Williamson County to sue Austin over hotel for people transitioning out of homelessness
The Williamson County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to request a lawsuit be filed against the city of Austin for purchasing a Candlewood Suites hotel to house people transitioning out of homelessness. Austin’s plans for the Candlewood Suites, which is located on Pecan Park Boulevard in Williamson County, have been the target of county commissioners and […]
Posted inBudget
Designated campsite strategy remains in limbo
On Thursday, City Council members had their most in-depth discussion about designated encampments for homeless people since voting unanimously to explore the strategy back in May. Still, much remains uncertain. Last week, Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison and Council Member Paige Ellis spoke out against moving forward with encampments, throwing the proposal into doubt. Yesterday, […]
Posted inCity Council
Council may abandon designated campsite strategy
City Council members Paige Ellis and Natasha Harper-Madison have announced that they will not support designated campsites for people experiencing homelessness, casting doubt on the viability of a strategy Council adopted in May. “After a week of extremely difficult conversations, lots of research into best practices and a good deal of reflection, the mayor pro […]
Posted inAustin
City says two sites could serve as temporary encampments for homeless Austinites
Austin has found two city-owned sites that could serve as camps for people living outdoors. One of the potential campsites is on Manor Road in East Austin and the other is on Convict Hill Road in South Austin, according to a memo released Monday. The memo, posted initially on a city website shortly before 5 p.m., […]
Posted inPublic Safety
APD to issue citations beginning Sunday as part of Prop B enforcement
The Austin Police Department could begin issuing citations this Sunday, July 11, for camping, panhandling and resting in the public right of way in downtown, West Campus and part of East Austin – areas where such activities were allowed before Proposition B passed in May – Lt. Lawrence Davis told the Public Safety Commission yesterday. […]