According to data provided to the Austin Journal by Nomadik, there are nineteen homeless encampments within 1,000 feet of Austin Independent School District campuses.
Nomadik, an Austin-based company led by Trevor Sorrells and Morgan Winters, is using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to crowdsource information and intelligence “to build a comprehensive picture of the humanitarian crisis in Texas.”
When we asked the company how many homeless encampments are within 1,000 feet of a school, they told us their data indicates that there are nineteen.
The schools include Casey, Cowan, Cunningham, Galindo, Joslin, Langford, St. Elmo, Sunset Valley elementary schools, Covington Middle School, and Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders.
The data provided was limited to Austin Independent School District campuses so there may be additional schools that are private or in other school districts.
Of those nineteen encampments, eight are within 1,000 feet of Joslin Elementary School which is at the intersection of Menchaca Road and Redd Street.
In May 2024, KXAN reported that there was a growing concern about the proximity of those encampments to the elementary school with parents speaking about their concerns for safety and what children were being exposed to.
One parent said, “as a parent trying to come pick up your pre-K kid and your fourth grader, it was just very alarming and unsettling” in response to a confirmed report of break-ins in the area by a homeless individual.
Just two days ago, another parent told KVUE that they no longer allow their child who attends Joslin Elementary to play on the playground because of concerns for safety.
“I’ve found exposed needles with the tip on at the playground, shoved up underneath the wood. So my son’s not allowed to play here anymore, and it’s really sad. I’ve had to teach him what a needle is. You don’t wanna teach your 5-year old that kind of stuff,” said Ashley Hammock.
In an attempt to clean up the playground, Hammock said that she has found needles, Narcan, other items, and even human feces on the playground.
Ryan Alter, the City Council Member representing the area, said that while they are pursuing solutions at the city, there is no timeline of implementation for those solutions.
Nomadik has up-to-date maps, insights, and opportunities for direct actions on their Nomadik app.