Austin voters appear poised to reinstate city's ban on public homeless encampments
May 1, 2021
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A woman sorts through her possessions before state workers clear out a homeless camp in Austin under a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott. But is that a lasting solution?Bob Owen / Staff photographer
Austin voters appear poised to reinstate a ban on public homeless encampments, according to unofficial early voting results. Proposition B on that city’s ballot would also criminalize panhandling at certain places and during certain times.
Austin’s City Council decided to lift the ban on public encampments in certain areas in 2019, arguing that the policy had led to citations for people experiencing homelessness that hurt their ability to find housing. The move was quickly criticized by Gov. Greg Abbott, who promised to take action against Austin.