City of Austin identifies two possible sites for sanctioned homeless encampments

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The locations are on Manor Road and Convict Hill Road.

AUSTIN, Texas – The city of Austin on Monday identified two potential locations that are being considered to become sanctioned camps for the homeless.

The locations are at 3511 Manor Road in East Austin and 4011 Convict Hill Road in Southwest Austin. Both plots require rezoning to allow the installation of prefabricated structures or micro-shelters.

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It does so in response to a city council decision to develop a short-term strategy for housing the homeless.

City officials said both locations are close to Capital Metro public transportation, officials have the ability to control the location and traffic flow around it, and both have access to utility companies. The city also plans to put in fences and keep them safe around the clock if the sites are chosen.

Austin Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Gray and Kimberly McNeeley, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, stated in a memo that staff are actively taking steps to prepare both sites for Austin City Council scrutiny.

“After careful review and review of city property, employees identified two locations as meeting most of the previously identified criteria for legally designated warehouses,” the memo reads. “Both properties are owned by the City of Austin and are held for future affordable housing and could be used temporarily until this development.”

Gray and McNeeley are preparing to provide a briefing on both locations at the city council’s working session scheduled for July 27.

City guides said staff could start collecting feedback from stakeholders on both properties in August. These include community meetings, opportunities to speak at city council meetings, and community surveys on SpeakUp Austin.

Councilor Paige Ellis issued this statement:

“As campsites are being pulled away from the streets and under highways, we also want to make sure that they are not relocated to public parks. Given this need, the city manager has identified two temporary locations, one for a tiny village with micro. Might Be Suitable – Shelters (Not Tents) A site is in District 8 and is being reviewed for proximity to work, food, and transportation.

“City officials will be liaising with existing neighbors in our district, and as with any land use proposal, it will have to go through a potential rededication, permit, and permit process that is in compliance with the Save Our Springs Regulation. As Our Community Discusses On this occasion, I hope you will share your feedback through the SpeakUp Austin portal and watch the city staff presentation live on ATXN on Tuesday, July 27th at 9:00 am: AustinTexas.gov/ATXN. “

The Save Austin Now PAC released the following statement on Monday evening:

“Save Austin Now has been committed to moving homeless people to safe and secure environments and ending unregulated camping from the very beginning. These two locations need to be investigated to determine how they affect neighborhoods and businesses in the immediate area. The location in the Southwest Austin is a security threat. ” Covington Middle School and is within walking distance of a hiking trail and library. That seems unwise. It’s a shame that after 2+ years we only have two viable regulated storage locations. “

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