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72 people experiencing homelessness moved to city-owned shelter
A total of 72 unhoused residents, and about 15 pets, were relocated from the encampment to the City-owned Southbridge shelter as part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative.
AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin and partners have closed the West Bouldin Creek area encampment.
A total of 72 unhoused residents, and about 15 pets, were relocated from the encampment to the City-owned Southbridge shelter as part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative.
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Austin City Council proposed budget
Activists also say progress on permanent support housing isn't being prioritized. They say the budget adds $32 million to the police department, which they say isn't effective at addressing homeless and drug use.
HEAL carries out the closures of homeless encampments that pose the highest public health and safety risks. Preparation for the closure has included doubling capacity at the City’s Southbridge Shelter to accommodate additional HEAL program participants.
People experiencing homelessness at the West Bouldin Creek area encampment site were offered transfer to shelter, and connection to housing resources.
The encampment has been formally declared closed, and a work zone has been designated while an extensive cleanup process is underway. The clean-up effort, which is expected to take several weeks, is being organized by the Parks and Recreation Department with substantial support from Austin Resource Recovery, the Austin Police Department, and a private contractor.
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"The HEAL Initiative gives us a concrete way to combat homelessness in our community and provide the resolution of unsheltered encampments that pose the greatest risks for the community," said City of Austin Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey.
The HEAL Initiative is one element of the City’s broader efforts to address homelessness.