More than half of Austin’s homeless population has been deemed “chronically homeless,” which is about 30-percent higher than the national average.
Bill Brice with the Downtown Austin Alliance says something needs to be done because the city council has moved far too slowly on this issue. While the city’s focus is on permanent housing, Brice said there’s not enough focus on shelters.
His plan calls for 500 new shelter beds across downtown, as well as a comprehensive database for homeless services.
No new shelter for single men and women has been built since the ARCH was constructed in 2004.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
