The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, in collaboration with partner organizations, has closed several encampments across the city and relocated 95 unhoused residents to shelters. This effort is part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative and other compassionate interventions.
Encampments at Stephenson Nature Preserve, Springdale Neighborhood Park, Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center, and the West Rundberg neighborhood near North Austin YMCA and Masterson Pass were targeted. The HEAL Initiative facilitated the relocation of 17 individuals from Stephenson Nature Preserve to Southbridge shelter. In addition, Austin Resource Recovery and the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps removed 31,300 pounds (15.65 tons) of trash from the area.
From Springdale Neighborhood Park, 21 individuals were moved to Northbridge and Southbridge shelters with assistance from the Hungry Hill Foundation. A total of 9,180 pounds (4.59 tons) of trash was cleared from this location by Austin Resource Recovery.
The Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center saw four individuals and six dogs relocated to shelters. One inoperable vehicle was towed with owner approval, requiring no litter abatement.
A modified HEAL Initiative addressed a mobile unsheltered population in the West Rundberg neighborhood near North Lamar Boulevard. Partnering with Urban Alchemy, 33 individuals were relocated to Northbridge shelter.
“Closing homeless encampments with compassion means more than just moving people to a different location,” said Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray. “It involves a careful plan that treats people with respect, considers their unique needs, and offers them real support.”
Since its inception in June 2021 following City Council approval in February 2021, over 915 individuals have been moved from high-risk encampments to shelters through the HEAL Initiative.
In another community intervention not affiliated with HEAL, various city departments collaborated to address an emerging encampment at Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center. Extensive outreach resulted in 20 individuals voluntarily relocating to Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter.
Further information on the Homeless Strategy Office can be found at www.austintexas.gov/homelessness
###