A state district judge has granted a temporary injunction to Attorney General Ken Paxton in his nuisance lawsuit against South Austin’s Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center that requires the organization to cease all outdoor services — but only if the state agrees to provide significant resources to help fill the void.
Judge Aurora Martinez Jones on Jan. 7 issued an order that conditionally bars Sunrise from offering services outside its headquarters on Menchaca Road, including on the front lawn. The conditions: That the state partner with the city of Austin, which contracts with Sunrise, to open an alternative location that is able to provide the impacted services — and to provide additional safety and security measures to address the state’s concerns about the property.
Sunrise Navigation Center Executive Director Mark Hilbelink said the order is unenforceable unless the state complies and he doesn’t see that happening.
“Basically nothing’s changing,” he said.
Even if the conditional order were enforced, Hilbelink said it would have little practical impact. Most services are provided indoors, and staff primarily use the outdoor area to set up tables and greet people arriving at the center…