Editor’s note: The above video is from previous KXAN coverage that was published on Oct. 20.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — After three weeks of a city-led effort to eliminate homeless encampments and get unhoused people into shelters, the city of Austin’s Office of Homeless Strategies and Operations (HSO) has released preliminary results of the effort.
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HSO Director David Gray said the city wanted to get people out of risky spaces ahead of the fall and winter, which can have more severe and dangerous weather conditions. There were also concerns about heightened fire danger.
According to the city, the operation resulted in the following:
- City teams addressed encampments at 669 locations across Austin
- 181 individuals were moved into shelters
- An additional 87 were connected with social, medical, and behavioral health services
- Approximately 674 tons (1,485,915 pounds) of debris were removed
The city said it prioritized addressing encampment sites that were “posing imminent risk to life or safety, such as along active roadways or in flood-prone zones.” While removing debris from the sites, crews worked to ensure personal property “was safeguarded in accordance with City protocol and minimizing the impact on the environment.”
3,238 people counted in Austin’s bi-annual tally of people experiencing homelessness
Twenty-two people were arrested during the enforcement phase of the initiative, which is about 2% of the total number of people engaged, according to the city, which also said the majority of those arrests were for outstanding warrants…