Austin is and always has been my fav city. I moved to Houston 3 years ago from Austin, and was appalled at the way Houston allowed for homeless tent cities. Around each of these areas there is well documented crime. Not to mention there are sanitary issues. Furthermore, It gives a blackeye to the city of Houston. When Austin recently changed its ordinance around homeless to allow for similar tent cities, I was sickened. I knew what this would lead to. Of interest sake, Houston is doing a great job of cleaning up the tent city/homeless issue. It’s not perfect, but it has gotten better. Kudos to the Governor for taking action around the recent homeless ordinance in Austin.
Per KVUE:
Austin mayor responds to Gov. Abbott’s letter demanding changes to city’s ‘homeless crisis’
If no improvements are made, Gov. Abbott said he will direct State agencies to provide for the public health and safety of Austin’s residents.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas governor has sent Austin Mayor Steve Adler a letter demanding changes to the City’s homeless ordinances following recent reports of violence and littering on the streets of Austin.
Austin's current homeless ordinances allow the homeless in the Austin area to camp, sit and lie in certain public spaces.
If no improvements are made by Nov. 1, Gov. Abbott said in the letter he will direct State agencies to provide for the public health and safety of Austin's residents.
"As the Governor of Texas, I have the responsibility to protect the health and safety of all Texans, including Austin residents,” Gov. Abbott wrote. “Further inaction by you and the Austin City Council will leave me no choice other than to use the tools available to the State of Texas to ensure that people are protected from health and safety concerns caused by the Austin homeless policies. As a result, I will give you until November 1, 2019, to demonstrate consequential improvement in the Austin homelessness crisis and the danger it poses to the health and safety of the public. If meaningful reforms are not implemented by then, I will direct every applicable state agency to act to fulfill my responsibility to protect the health and safety of Texans in your jurisdiction.”
Per KVUE:
Austin mayor responds to Gov. Abbott’s letter demanding changes to city’s ‘homeless crisis’
If no improvements are made, Gov. Abbott said he will direct State agencies to provide for the public health and safety of Austin’s residents.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas governor has sent Austin Mayor Steve Adler a letter demanding changes to the City’s homeless ordinances following recent reports of violence and littering on the streets of Austin.
Austin's current homeless ordinances allow the homeless in the Austin area to camp, sit and lie in certain public spaces.
If no improvements are made by Nov. 1, Gov. Abbott said in the letter he will direct State agencies to provide for the public health and safety of Austin's residents.
"As the Governor of Texas, I have the responsibility to protect the health and safety of all Texans, including Austin residents,” Gov. Abbott wrote. “Further inaction by you and the Austin City Council will leave me no choice other than to use the tools available to the State of Texas to ensure that people are protected from health and safety concerns caused by the Austin homeless policies. As a result, I will give you until November 1, 2019, to demonstrate consequential improvement in the Austin homelessness crisis and the danger it poses to the health and safety of the public. If meaningful reforms are not implemented by then, I will direct every applicable state agency to act to fulfill my responsibility to protect the health and safety of Texans in your jurisdiction.”
