Activists also say progress on permanent support housing isn't being prioritized. They say the budget adds $32 million to the police department, which they say isn't effective at addressing homeless and drug use.
A large coalition is pushing for the city to allow a zoning change to happen in the Hancock neighborhood, East 39th street to be exact. That is where they want a 100-unit apartment complex to go up.
Stakeholders initially estimated over $500 million will be needed and the city’s Homeless Strategy Officer is expected to outline the cost more clearly.
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Austin advocates seek solution for homeless crisis By Lakisha Lemons Austin SHARE AUSTIN, Texas The homelessness crisis in Texas capital city is coming to a major vote on May 1. Walking the streets of downtown Austin, both city advocates and members of the unhoused community are seeking a better solution than citywide camping bans. As he walks down 6th Street, Joao Paulo Connolly, of the Austin Justice Coalition, says this is the Austin he’s always remembered. A place for everyone. “When folks say Save Austin, I always wonder what Austin they are talking about. We all want to address the crisis around people experiencing homelessness, the fact that there are many people very visibly with no place to go. Criminalizing it just doesn’t work,” said Connolly.