A city commission looks to the Austin State Hospital for answers to the homeless crisis:
A fresh $165-million is being put toward the renovation of the hospital and its services, and there was also recent talk about possible supportive housing being attached to the hospital itself. Robin Orlowski with the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities said it could really benefit Austin’s homeless, especially those with mental health needs who won’t benefit from jail. “These people who are homeless are not getting medical care. These facilities don’t provide care.”
This is an idea that hasn’t gone beyond the simple discussion stages as of yet. Critics, however, worry about an unfair stigma stemming from housing attached to a facility like the state hospital.
(Photo:Shutterstock/Philip Arno Photography)
