AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin announced Wednesday that it has relocated 43 people experiencing homelessness from encampments at Barwood Park and Tom Donovan Nature Trail at the Williamson Creek Greenbelt into its Northbridge and Southbridge shelters.
The City said those encampments are now officially closed, and enforcement presence will continue during cleanup. The relocated residents were offered access to shelter and connection to housing resources, according to the City.
These cleanups are part of the City's Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative. The City said through a cross-departmental effort, it has developed a mobile encampment assessment tool that measures over 40 factors to prioritize encampments for HEAL intervention.
“Through HEAL, the City recognizes the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and commits to providing them with shelter, support and resources, while ensuring their dignity and well-being are upheld every step of the way,” Interim Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray said.
The HEAL Initiative was approved by the city council in February 2021. Since it began in June 2021, the City said more than 661 people have been moved from "high-risk" encampments to the Northbridge and Southbridge shelters.
The City said the cleanups at Barwood Park and Tom Donovan Nature Trail were a collaborative effort that involved the Austin Public Health Homeless Strategy Division, the Homeless Outreach Street Team (HOST), Austin Parks and Recreation Department Outreach, Integral Care, the Austin Police Department, the Austin Area Urban League and other community partners.