A pair homeless camps along Riverside Drive in East Austin will get cleared, because of they are on drainage culverts.
The City Watershed Department’s Jose Gurrero explained they’ve contracted out to homeless service providers to handle the process, that way, those on the street can still get help…if they want it. “The contractor is unique because they hire homeless individuals and try to get them resolved in their housing and work situations as well.”
Gurrero said they often find camping equipment, furniture and more that can clog drainage systems. He says all they area’s they are attacking, have known flood risks and need to be cleared. If not he added, the camps will hinder Austin’s flood readiness and put neighborhoods and the city as a whole in danger. Guerrero noted they also hand out special bags to the homeless, to keep important documents in so work crews don’t throw away something like an ID or medical records.
(Photo:Shutterstock/Philip Arno Photography)
