Abbott Says TxDOT Will Start Cleaning Up Homeless Camps Under Highways In Austin Starting Monday
Gov. Greg Abbott's office says it's forging ahead with cleanups of homeless encampments under overpasses in Austin.
Ahead of a Nov. 1 deadline for state intervention, Abbott's spokesperson John Wittman confirmed that the Texas Department of Transportation will clear underpasses of encampments and direct people to city and county resources for people experiencing homelessness.
The decision comes after months of criticism from the governor on the Austin City Council's June decision to effectively legalize camping and resting in public. The Council voted to reinstate some of those restrictions on Oct. 17, and those rules went into effect yesterday.
"These notices are the first step to clear encampments from underpasses throughout the city, while providing those experiencing homelessness with access to resources for services and care," Wittman said. "In addition to these short-term services, the Office of the Governor is working with a coalition consisting of private sector and faith-based organizations on longer-term solutions."
Read more: https://www.kut.org/post/abbott-says-txdot-will-start-cleaning-homeless-camps-under-highways-austin-starting-monday
Considering that the homeless shelters are full and winter is coming, this action will add more stress into the lives of the less fortunate.
Maybe they can open up the Governor's Mansion to help some of these people?
