AUSTIN, Texas — City leaders continue to address homelessness in Austin amid ongoing safety concerns.
The Homeless Strategy Office announced Thursday that it relocated more than 100 people into shelters ahead of the holidays.
Fifty came from two encampments: Riverside Meadows in southeast Austin and the other near I-35 and East St. John’s Avenue, which will be turned into a mixed-use development.
However, advocates estimate there are still about 6,000 people living on the streets of Austin.
How does Austin decide what camps to clean up?
Austin Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray said city leaders score the encampments every week to see where the greatest need is.
“We go into the most dangerous encampments … and work with folks in the encampment to move all of them to shelters and the same time,” Gray said. “Those two rose to the top of that scoring.”
Gray said the people in those encampments were taken to the Bridge shelters and Marshalling Yard, which Austin now plans to keep opening until at least September. According to Gray, people generally stay at the shelters for a few months.
“Three or four months is what it takes to move on from the shelter into housing,” Gray said. “If it’s permanent supportive housing, we will continue to make sure they have case management, help them address employment challenges, health care challenges.”
Safety concerns in southeast Austin
Anthony Gonzalez was born and raised in Austin and now lives in the Riverside Meadows neighborhood.
According to Gonzalez, he’s encountered issues with people camping nearby, and he’s not alone.
“The fact my grandma can’t walk down the street or can’t sit in the front of our porch and sit like she usually does,” Gonzalez said. “Pretty much every single one of my neighbors had an encounter, not in a good way. I have seen people chase them off their yard.”
However, Gonzalez said he is glad to see those experiencing homelessness get into shelters.
“Everyone should have help,” Gonzalez said. “I mean any kind of situation that betters someone’s life is definitely good.”