Anger and confusion follows the City of Austin’s efforts to clear out homeless camps near the ARCH.
Austin Police officials say the cleanings will conclude Tuesday morning and have long been in the works as part of the Guided Path pilot program to house folks outside the shelter. Chris Harris with Homes not Handcuffs said while the city’s approach is similar to Governor Greg Abbott’s, there is one key difference, “the city at least is also focused on housing folks, and I’m hopeful that continues. And we need to continue to keep presure on them to do that.
While Harris is keeps up the pressure on the City, those on the street like Richard Sasser who lives outside the ARCH, have another message for Council, “Be for real…if not…get out of the seat.”
DalZell Walldrop is homeless and lives at the neighboring Salvation Army shelter, she said the city made promises…but not all were kept. “They promised to bring 5 groups of social workers, to help us like find a place or get the help they needed and they haven’t brought ’em.”
Even after Monday morning’s cleaning effort Homes not handcuffs’ Chris Harris said, not much has changed outside the ARCH, if you don’t consider the mental aspect. “The situation down there looks and feels remarkably similar to how it did before. But with…alot of consternation and headaches.” Feeling that consternation is homeless man Julian Reyas who said this will end only one way, This is going to end up as a civil rights issue. Because we have a right under the 4th amendment to be left alone. And under the 8th amendment not to be punished simply for existing.”
(Photo:Newsradio KLBJ 590am/99.7fm/Jon Cooley)
