AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin has launched its own Homeless Strategy Plan this week as we enter wildfire season and cooler temperatures.
This initiative follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to deploy the state and national guards, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, to Austin to relocate homeless individuals and dismantle encampments.
David Gray, director of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, stated that the city has already addressed 70 encampments and relocated many individuals to shelters. He emphasized that the city’s plan was not a reaction to the state’s recent actions.
“This framework that was launched earlier this week is just building off of our success,” Gray said.
Addressing the City of Austin’s unhoused population is becoming more top of mind.
The plan, which was implemented following major events like ACL and Formula 1, aims to prepare the unhoused population for severe weather.
“It leads with outreach and social service connections and then moves to enforcement and encampment cleanup,” Gray explained.
Here’s a look at the results after one day.
Here’s a look at the results after one day. (Photo: City of Austin)
I asked Gray about the city’s timing for this.
“Did the city roll out its homeless plan yesterday in response to the state’s plan that started late last week?” Martorano asked.
“Not at all,” Gray said. “Earlier this week, the mayor and the county judge issued a disaster declaration in advance of severe weather and wildfire risk. Every year, our office has been here, we’ve tried to do a better job of preparing the unhoused clients for severe weather.”
RELATED| Gov. Abbott begins homeless encampment cleanup in Austin, led by DPS and state agencies
In Tuesday’s press conference introducing the city’s new plan, Mayor Kirk Watson says the state’s plan is not the solution to homelessness in Austin.
“What you’re getting at the state level is short-term action for a long-term issue,” Watson said.
The city’s approved budget proposal for 2026. (Photo: City of Austin)
This is the city’s budget proposal for next year.
Within the general funding operations, homeless strategies and operations only make up $6.4 million, or 0.4%, of the $6.3 billion budget to homeless strategies and operations. (Photo: City of Austin)
Within the general funding operations, homeless strategies and operations only make up $6.4 million, or 0.4%, of the $6.3 billion budget to homeless strategies and operations.
With Proposition Q on the November ballot, which proposes raising property taxes to fund city services, Gray believes it could enhance city operations, including homeless strategies.
“I think if property taxes go up, our office is ready to stand in that gap and help make sure that those people who are on the cusp of homelessness are able to stay housed,” he said.
The city’s homeless response plan is set to last three weeks, with the goal of moving as many people as possible off the streets and into shelters or housing.