AUSTIN, Texas — A sprawling homeless encampment near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has been closed amid a high wildfire risk.
The city’s Homeless Strategy Office announced the closure of 37 acres of land near the intersection of Ben White Boulevard and Montopolis Drive.
The encampment was closed after the Austin Fire Department (AFD) responded to 35 fire-related calls at the encampment in 2024. Since the area is heavily wooded and dealing with illegal dumping, the land poses an elevated fire risk.
City officials said the compassionate closure also led to the relocation of 32 people experiencing homelessness. The city relocated those people to the Northbridge and Southbridge shelters.
“By tackling wildfire risks, providing crucial support to those in need, and prioritizing the well-being of all individuals, we are fostering a community that stands together,” Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray said.
In February, the city relocated 28 people from another dangerous encampment near a high-risk flood zone in southeast Austin. A majority of those people were also moved into the Northbridge and Southbridge shelters, with the others finding space at Marshaling Yard.
Since the Housing-focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative began, over 1,000 people have been relocated to shelters that provide comprehensive services including meals, laundry, outdoor space, parking, high-speed internet and services to obtain vital documents.
You can learn more about the city’s homeless strategy by visiting its website.