Cities are criminalizing homelessness by banning people from camping in public. That’s the wrong approach, report says

Homelessness, National

SOURCE: USA TODAY More cities are punishing homeless people for sleeping in public, a new report shows, amid an increase in Americans living on the streets. Arresting or ticketing people who have nowhere else to go doesn’t help them find permanent...

Lighter Loads ATX’s mobile showering and laundering unit is now in operation

Homelessness, Local

SOURCE: KVUE AUSTIN, Texas — Taking a shower and washing our clothes are things many of us take for granted. Thanks to the nonprofit Lighter Loads ATX, some homeless individuals in Austin were able to do both of those things on Saturday. The group’s new mobile...

City of Austin already in talks to purchase second hotel to house homeless

Homelessness, Local

SOURCE: CBS AUSTIN AUSTIN, Texas — The south Austin homeless hotel is not yet fully purchased by the city, and already, council says the city is in talks to buy another. “It looks like we’re in negotiations for a second one coming up, and I think that it’s...

Austin Man Brings Library on Wheels to Those Experiencing Homelessness

Homelessness, Local

SOURCE: SPECTRUM LOCAL NEWS AUSTIN, Texas — Public libraries are a place where people are welcome to go in and access services, but being able to bring books home is a different story. Books are delivered 3 times a week 500 books in the collection Book donations are...

City finds homeless camping in Austin parks, works to connect them to services

Homelessness, Local

SOURCE: AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, November 15, Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) conducted a survey of people experiencing homelessness at three locations, including Barton Creek Wilderness Park, Gaines Creek Greenbelt and Williamson Creek Greenbelt....

Volunteers needed to canvas Austin area to count homeless people

Homelessness, Local

      SOURCE: KVUE Every year, ECHO volunteers head out early in the morning to count every person experiencing homelessness. It’s called the Point in Time (PIT) count. In 2019, the homeless count reported more than 2,200 homeless people in Travis...