AUSTIN, Texas — More than 60 people experiencing homelessness are now in shelters after several Austin encampments were closed and cleaned.
City leaders say through their Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative, 63 people were sheltered as four encampments were closed – at Barton Creek Greenbelt, Williamson Creek East, Indian Grass Prairie and North Walnut Creek.
The people were moved to the city's Northbridge and Southbridge shelters. There they are able to access housing resources.
“Transitioning from encampments into shelter signifies a significant step towards stability, support and access to resources and care. The cleanup of four encampments reflects our commitment to ensuring a safer community,” said Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray.
One of the encampments closed has been an ongoing issue for businesses near Pack Saddle Pass in South Austin, including a senior living facility.
The Solstice Senior Living sits on the edge of the Williamson Creek East encampment. Recently, a man from the encampment appeared to target a senior living at the facility while she walked her dog. The man escaped before police arrived and the department said they couldn't find any record of the incident.
A family member of a resident at Solstice called the city to clean up the area permanently after the incident but said it wasn't until she threatened to go to the news that an officer decided to check it out.
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"That's just not acceptable," said Renda Tyson, whose mother lives at Solstice. "He [the officer] proceeded to tell me that the homeless situation in Austin is problematic. Police staffing is short and even if they arrest them, they're let go within an hour. My concern was, 'Are you not at least going to go and check? This is a senior living facility. They need assistance.'"
KVUE checked out the encampment as it was shut down and found clothes on picnic tables and needles on the ground. Makeshift beds, clothes and food boxes were all visible evidence that people lived in the dried-up creek.
KVUE reached out for more information on the closed encampments, but we were only told by Austin's Homeless Division that all four camps "are now officially closed, and enforcement presence will be maintained while cleanups are conducted."
Since the HEAL Initiative began in June 2021, more than 835 individuals have moved from high-risk encampments to the city's Northbridge and Southbridge shelters. As part of the initiative, the city works with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, the Austin Police Department, the Austin Area Urban League, Endeavors and other community partners.