Abbott's uncooperative encampment strategy
The state won't talk to the city.
I spoke briefly with Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray this morning about Gov. Greg Abbott's sudden announcement last week that he was directing DPS troopers, the state guard and TxDOT to clear out homeless encampments in Austin. Abbott made the announcement a day after the city announced it had begun its own encampment clearing effort.
The city is offering anybody living at an encampment a bed at one of its four shelters. So far, said Gray, the city has been able to provide that to anybody who accepts it. So far, it appears most have not.
The city has "engaged" 332 people during the effort and connected 51 of them with shelter. It's worth noting that when the city offers people something better (their own room), the vast majority accept.
The general impression I got from Gray is that the state is not interested in cooperating with the city and is conducting its clean-ups unannounced, with no heads up to the city.
