x
Breaking News
More () »

Homeless in Austin: New guidance recommends limits on camping in high-traffic, flooding areas

The memo was released Friday morning to the Austin City Council and Mayor Steve Adler.

AUSTIN, Texas — New guidance from the Austin City Manager’s Office calls for limiting homeless camping, sitting and lying in areas with high car and pedestrian traffic, as well as areas with a high risk of flooding.

The memo, which can be read online, was released Friday morning, a little more than two months after the city council approved homeless camping, sitting and lying across the city.

“Any limitations considered for identifying where an individual should not live/sleep will need to be carefully thought through in terms of enforcement and an individual’s constitutional rights,” Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales wrote in the memo.

The memo calls for similar rules that the City has in place for micro-mobility devices – such as e-scooters – which require at least three feet of clearance for accessibility in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

"Frankly, for the first time in five years, I actually see a way forward and have not felt that over the last five years," Mayor Steve Adler said following the release of the memo.

RELATED: 

It's now legal for homeless to camp on Austin streets

UT police chief calls on Mayor Adler to prohibit homeless camping near campus

Austin city leaders host third forum addressing homelessness

Earlier this week, University of Texas Police Chief David Carter requested the city ban camping, sitting and lying on “The Drag” and West Campus – but the memo did not specify those areas.

"I think it would have been nice to have some greater specificity, too, but I still hope and expect that the council's going to add greater specificity," Adler said. "There's no lack of specificity in the conversation that's going on in the community I don't see any delay."

In addition to high pedestrian traffic areas, the memo recommends limitations in high vehicular traffic areas due to the health and safety issues that come up when people live or sleep there.

Kristi A. Samilpa, Senior Executive Assistant, Homeless Strategy Office On June 20, 2019, Austin City Council adopted Resolution No. 20190620-184 (the Resolution) regardingoptions to address homelessness. This update responds to Council's direction to: * Propose reasonable time and place opportunities and limitations on camping, sitting and lying; and * Provide possible options for non-criminal remedies or tools related to time and place limitations on camping, sitting, and lying.

The memo also suggests not allowing living or sleeping in areas with high flood risk.

“Floodways, busy sidewalks, roads were not built for people to live and sleep on. These places are not healthy nor safe for the people trying to live there, and living there then creates additional safety concerns for pedestrian accessibility, and being accidentally hit by a motorist. That’s why they’re the focus of the camping, sitting and lying limitations criteria provided to Council. We’re ready to assist Council as they consider their next steps,” a city spokesperson said in a statement.

VIDEO: Austin Homeless: Struggle on the Streets

The City said the Homeless Strategy Office is ready to work with other organizations to create systems and infrastructure that make homelessness “rare, brief, and non-recurring.”

Earlier this month, City Manager Spencer Cronk announced that Lori Pampilo Harris will be the city’s homeless strategy officer beginning Sept. 9.

"I remain encouraged by the community conversation that's happening. I think we are closer now than we've ever been before to actually doing something about the challenge," Adler said. 

PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING:

'He just didn't care': Video shows girl's frightening brush with truck running school bus stop sign

Sabotaged scooters found on Rainey Street in downtown Austin

Before You Leave, Check This Out