AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas attorney general is suing Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center after parents complained of people doing drugs near Joslin Elementary School.
Council Member Ryan Alter understands why people in his district are frustrated with the facility. But he also recognizes Sunrise’s importance, saying it is looking at adding alternative locations in North and South Austin.
“Right now, we have a lot of great service providers. But you have to get in and either have an appointment or be otherwise enrolled. At Sunrise, if you’re homeless, you can show up and you can get help,” Alter said.
It is an issue that needs attention. The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO, released a report in August giving an overview of its Homelessness Response System in Austin and Travis County, which is a coalition of partners that are working to end homelessness. According to the report, the number of people looking for help for the first time is increasing dramatically. Service providers saw a 72% increase in 2023 compared to 2022.
Austinites are finding different ways of ending homelessness. Lauren Colletti is part of Ascension Leadership Academy, which is a local leadership program that raised $100,000 in two weeks for Saint Louise House, a nonprofit that helps homeless single mothers and their kids.
“A lot of these women, they’re kind of called the hidden homeless really. They’re trying to get the skills to get a job. They can’t afford housing in Austin and it’s also affordable child care,” Colletti said. “It gives them stable homes and support for, you know, financial literacy, emotional mental health services and weekly goal setting.”
According to ECHO’s dashboard, more than 5,000 people are likely experiencing homelessness in Austin. Western Trails Neighborhood Association President Dale Herron hopes the Texas attorney general’s lawsuit can generate new conversations on how we can address this issue.
“We need to find a better solution that really helps these people off the streets and into better positions in their lives,” Herron said.