The City of Austin is taking a proactive stance in tackling homelessness in Travis County, Texas. Mayor Adler has made it clear that expelling people from public spaces is not the answer, and the City Council has voted to decriminalize the act of sitting, lying down, or camping in public places. To further this effort, the Austin Homeless Outreach Team (HOST) has hired a certified specialist to help patrols. In December, an estimated 3,838 people were considered homeless and homeless, while another 818 were considered homeless but living in shelters in the area.
To help rehouse these individuals, Travis County Judge Andy Brown has announced a project to build 2,000 new supportive housing units in the county. The City Council has also approved a funding increase that will allow for the opening of 50 supportive housing units this fall. In addition to these efforts, Mayor Adler has coordinated an investor-backed permanent supportive housing fund with local and Travis County hospitals. This fund will provide financial support for those who need it most.
Furthermore, a new emergency shelter is being constructed in South Austin to provide additional resources for those experiencing homelessness. Dianna Grey, homeless strategy officer for the City of Austin, believes that these innovative solutions will help improve the lives of those living on the streets. She states that "no one would be pleased to see people living outside in these conditions". The City of Austin is committed to providing resources and support for those who need it most. The City of Austin is taking a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness in Travis County.
From decriminalizing public spaces to providing financial support and emergency shelters, the city is doing its part to ensure that those experiencing homelessness have access to the resources they need. With these innovative solutions in place, there is hope that homelessness can be reduced and eventually eliminated in Travis County.
