Austin Homeless Free for All Ordinance

CooterBrown · July 26, 2019

Hey look, a small, cost effective program that actually helps some homeless people. Too bad it's not from a "cool" city so our council could look at it.

A Better Way Program Launches Today, Paving the Way to Real Change for Panhandling

This article was archived on 4/8/2018

Officials from the City of Tulsa, Mental Health Association Oklahoma and the Tulsa Area United Way launched the Better Way Program today giving individuals experiencing homelessness an alternative to panhandling by offering a day’s wages to beautify the community while connecting individuals to services in the community.

Inspired by a groundbreaking employment program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mayor G.T. Bynum introduced A Better Way program to the city of Tulsa last year, which received overwhelming support.

“A Better Way program will give participants the dignity of a day’s work and wages while cleaning up areas throughout our city,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “By using a whole community approach, we are providing one solution to panhandling while connecting individuals to life-changing services that will lead to positive change for Tulsa.”

Through roving van outreach, A Better Way makes stops at targeted “hot spot” areas within Tulsa that are known for panhandling and homelessness, including pedestrian walkways, medians, and overpasses. Individuals will have the option of participating in the program and will provide beautification efforts throughout Tulsa.

“A Better Way offers a new and innovative way for people experiencing homelessness to earn money not from asking for pocket change, but from working hard to beautify our community in a public work space,” Michael W. Brose, MSW, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma said.“At the same time, we are educating the general public that although A Better Way isn’t the only solution to panhandling, it will empower participants to change their lives.”

During the workday, participants are also connected to an array of services in the community, such as: shelter, housing, mental health and addiction treatment and other more sustainable employment services. The Tulsa Area United Way provided a Social Innovation Grant that will fund an employment specialist specifically for participants of A Better Way.

“The goal of the Tulsa Area United Way’s Social Innovation Grants is to fund leading-edge strategies addressing challenges in our community,” said Alison Anthony, incoming President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. “A Better Way will give Tulsa a fresh look at this pervasive problem. We are very excited to see this new initiative give hope to those who might be struggling.”

The Better Way van (pictured above) is in operation three days a week. Mondays and Fridays are randomized pick-ups throughout the city, with the van starting its journey at 7 a.m. On Wednesdays, participants will meet at 8 a.m. under the Better Way sign at the Denver House, 252 W. 17^th Pl.

A Better Way initiative is not the only solution to ending panhandling, homelessness, and unemployment, but cities around the country utilizing similar programs can point to the program’s cost savings and effectiveness in their own communities.

A Better Way Tulsa was made possible through a collaboration between the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE), Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Tulsa Area United Way and the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation.

For more information about A Better Way, visit: www.abetterwaytulsa.org. The City of Tulsa also created a video last year when Mayor Bynum introduced the program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZDQRT-20dc.

ChickenSandwich · July 26, 2019

meanwhile in seattle......

He decided to run down the center of all the cars - jumping from one to another. Well, until he noticed the traffic cop. At which point he did what we all would have done: Ripped the sunroof out of a car and attack said officer.

https://twitter.com/robotwood/status/1154607971369754624

Edited July 26, 2019 by ChickenSandwich

Bozo_Casanova · July 26, 2019

2 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

Hey look, a small, cost effective program that actually helps some homeless people. Too bad it's not from a "cool" city so our council could look at it.

A Better Way Program Launches Today, Paving the Way to Real Change for Panhandling

This article was archived on 4/8/2018

Officials from the City of Tulsa, Mental Health Association Oklahoma and the Tulsa Area United Way launched the Better Way Program today giving individuals experiencing homelessness an alternative to panhandling by offering a day’s wages to beautify the community while connecting individuals to services in the community.

Inspired by a groundbreaking employment program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mayor G.T. Bynum introduced A Better Way program to the city of Tulsa last year, which received overwhelming support.

“A Better Way program will give participants the dignity of a day’s work and wages while cleaning up areas throughout our city,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “By using a whole community approach, we are providing one solution to panhandling while connecting individuals to life-changing services that will lead to positive change for Tulsa.”

Through roving van outreach, A Better Way makes stops at targeted “hot spot” areas within Tulsa that are known for panhandling and homelessness, including pedestrian walkways, medians, and overpasses. Individuals will have the option of participating in the program and will provide beautification efforts throughout Tulsa.

“A Better Way offers a new and innovative way for people experiencing homelessness to earn money not from asking for pocket change, but from working hard to beautify our community in a public work space,” Michael W. Brose, MSW, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma said.“At the same time, we are educating the general public that although A Better Way isn’t the only solution to panhandling, it will empower participants to change their lives.”

During the workday, participants are also connected to an array of services in the community, such as: shelter, housing, mental health and addiction treatment and other more sustainable employment services. The Tulsa Area United Way provided a Social Innovation Grant that will fund an employment specialist specifically for participants of A Better Way.

“The goal of the Tulsa Area United Way’s Social Innovation Grants is to fund leading-edge strategies addressing challenges in our community,” said Alison Anthony, incoming President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. “A Better Way will give Tulsa a fresh look at this pervasive problem. We are very excited to see this new initiative give hope to those who might be struggling.”

The Better Way van (pictured above) is in operation three days a week. Mondays and Fridays are randomized pick-ups throughout the city, with the van starting its journey at 7 a.m. On Wednesdays, participants will meet at 8 a.m. under the Better Way sign at the Denver House, 252 W. 17^th Pl.

A Better Way initiative is not the only solution to ending panhandling, homelessness, and unemployment, but cities around the country utilizing similar programs can point to the program’s cost savings and effectiveness in their own communities.

A Better Way Tulsa was made possible through a collaboration between the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE), Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Tulsa Area United Way and the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation.

For more information about A Better Way, visit: www.abetterwaytulsa.org. The City of Tulsa also created a video last year when Mayor Bynum introduced the program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZDQRT-20dc.

That's a great program, but in a Venn diagram of permanent homeless and panhandlers in Austin the circles would overlap some, but not fully, and probably not even by half. As RC points out, the vast majority of our permanent homeless population are suffering from PTSD on some level. They live in a constant state of psychological exhaustion, physical discomfort, and fear. So it's not a combination that makes for an outgoing personality in general. Many panhandlers are homeless, of course, but many aren't, and many of those who are aren't part of the permanent homeless population that we are mostly talking about here.

Very many homeless people don't panhandle and avoid any interaction with the general public.

Edited July 26, 2019 by Bozo_Casanova

July 26, 2019

Seattle/Austin political logic: lunatic homeless attacks people with thirty pound glass weapon? Don’t tase, just de escalate and wait. Black homeowner cooperating fully after traffic stop? Shoot 9 times.

hayden_horn · July 26, 2019

11 minutes ago, Lobo said:

Seattle/Austin political logic: lunatic homeless attacks people with thirty pound glass weapon? Don’t tase, just de escalate and wait. Black homeowner cooperating fully after traffic stop? Shoot 9 times.

well, to be fair, that was just a parking attendant and a bunch of civilians that handled that situation and had the guy pinned. if that was a real cop, bang, fuck, you're dead.

Parliament · July 26, 2019

Hey look, a small, cost effective program that actually helps some homeless people. Too bad it's not from a "cool" city so our council could look at it.

A Better Way Program Launches Today, Paving the Way to Real Change for Panhandling
This article was archived on 4/8/2018
Officials from the City of Tulsa, Mental Health Association Oklahoma and the Tulsa Area United Way launched the Better Way Program today giving individuals experiencing homelessness an alternative to panhandling by offering a day’s wages to beautify the community while connecting individuals to services in the community.
Inspired by a groundbreaking employment program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mayor G.T. Bynum introduced A Better Way program to the city of Tulsa last year, which received overwhelming support.
“A Better Way program will give participants the dignity of a day’s work and wages while cleaning up areas throughout our city,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “By using a whole community approach, we are providing one solution to panhandling while connecting individuals to life-changing services that will lead to positive change for Tulsa.”
Through roving van outreach, A Better Way makes stops at targeted “hot spot” areas within Tulsa that are known for panhandling and homelessness, including pedestrian walkways, medians, and overpasses. Individuals will have the option of participating in the program and will provide beautification efforts throughout Tulsa.
“A Better Way offers a new and innovative way for people experiencing homelessness to earn money not from asking for pocket change, but from working hard to beautify our community in a public work space,” Michael W. Brose, MSW, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma said.“At the same time, we are educating the general public that although A Better Way isn’t the only solution to panhandling, it will empower participants to change their lives.”
During the workday, participants are also connected to an array of services in the community, such as: shelter, housing, mental health and addiction treatment and other more sustainable employment services. The Tulsa Area United Way provided a Social Innovation Grant that will fund an employment specialist specifically for participants of A Better Way.
“The goal of the Tulsa Area United Way’s Social Innovation Grants is to fund leading-edge strategies addressing challenges in our community,” said Alison Anthony, incoming President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. “A Better Way will give Tulsa a fresh look at this pervasive problem. We are very excited to see this new initiative give hope to those who might be struggling.”
The Better Way van (pictured above) is in operation three days a week. Mondays and Fridays are randomized pick-ups throughout the city, with the van starting its journey at 7 a.m. On Wednesdays, participants will meet at 8 a.m. under the Better Way sign at the Denver House, 252 W. 17^th Pl.
A Better Way initiative is not the only solution to ending panhandling, homelessness, and unemployment, but cities around the country utilizing similar programs can point to the program’s cost savings and effectiveness in their own communities.
A Better Way Tulsa was made possible through a collaboration between the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE), Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Tulsa Area United Way and the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation.
For more information about A Better Way, visit: www.abetterwaytulsa.org. The City of Tulsa also created a video last year when Mayor Bynum introduced the program:
.

So Austin should just lure these people into a van and haul them to Waco. Problem solved.

Armybrat · July 27, 2019

15 hours ago, Parliament said:

19 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

Hey look, a small, cost effective program that actually helps some homeless people. Too bad it's not from a "cool" city so our council could look at it.

A Better Way Program Launches Today, Paving the Way to Real Change for Panhandling
This article was archived on 4/8/2018
Officials from the City of Tulsa, Mental Health Association Oklahoma and the Tulsa Area United Way launched the Better Way Program today giving individuals experiencing homelessness an alternative to panhandling by offering a day’s wages to beautify the community while connecting individuals to services in the community.

Inspired by a groundbreaking employment program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mayor G.T. Bynum introduced A Better Way program to the city of Tulsa last year, which received overwhelming support.

“A Better Way program will give participants the dignity of a day’s work and wages while cleaning up areas throughout our city,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “By using a whole community approach, we are providing one solution to panhandling while connecting individuals to life-changing services that will lead to positive change for Tulsa.”

Through roving van outreach, A Better Way makes stops at targeted “hot spot” areas within Tulsa that are known for panhandling and homelessness, including pedestrian walkways, medians, and overpasses. Individuals will have the option of participating in the program and will provide beautification efforts throughout Tulsa.

“A Better Way offers a new and innovative way for people experiencing homelessness to earn money not from asking for pocket change, but from working hard to beautify our community in a public work space,” Michael W. Brose, MSW, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma said.“At the same time, we are educating the general public that although A Better Way isn’t the only solution to panhandling, it will empower participants to change their lives.”

During the workday, participants are also connected to an array of services in the community, such as: shelter, housing, mental health and addiction treatment and other more sustainable employment services. The Tulsa Area United Way provided a Social Innovation Grant that will fund an employment specialist specifically for participants of A Better Way.

“The goal of the Tulsa Area United Way’s Social Innovation Grants is to fund leading-edge strategies addressing challenges in our community,” said Alison Anthony, incoming President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. “A Better Way will give Tulsa a fresh look at this pervasive problem. We are very excited to see this new initiative give hope to those who might be struggling.”

The Better Way van (pictured above) is in operation three days a week. Mondays and Fridays are randomized pick-ups throughout the city, with the van starting its journey at 7 a.m. On Wednesdays, participants will meet at 8 a.m. under the Better Way sign at the Denver House, 252 W. 17^th Pl.

A Better Way initiative is not the only solution to ending panhandling, homelessness, and unemployment, but cities around the country utilizing similar programs can point to the program’s cost savings and effectiveness in their own communities.

A Better Way Tulsa was made possible through a collaboration between the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE), Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Tulsa Area United Way and the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation.

For more information about A Better Way, visit: www.abetterwaytulsa.org. The City of Tulsa also created a video last year when Mayor Bynum introduced the program:

.

Read more

So Austin should just lure these people into a van and haul them to Waco. Problem solved.

Lots of good, charitable Christians there.

SDG · July 27, 2019

12 minutes ago, Thujone said:

Until you start to solve the causes of homelessness, it will be a problem. What stops that is privileged cunts who prattle on about how "people should just pick themselves up by their bootstraps." People (especially on this thread) love to talk about homelessness like it's a choice. Sure some of the dragrats have chosen that life, no doubt. But homelessness is 99.9% a function of economics, education, race and job pay.

Serious question; have you ever been poor? You’re calling people “privileged cunts” but don’t seem to grasp the situation from any first hand experience.

In regards to you 99.9% assertation.

1) economics - this is a function of the rest and at a macro level it’s better than ever.

2) education - pre - HS is free and if you’re poor most of college is as well. (I’m proof of this). If people don’t take it it, who’s to blame?

3) race - the race card is bullshit. I’m Mexican with a very Mexican name and looks. I have never had any issues neither have any of my aa or other ethnicities friends.

4) pay - goes back to economics, supply & demand, and value creation. But, I think you’re insinuating that homeless people aren’t paid enough. Even at the most basic levels of minimum wage you can afford a place to stay pretty much anywhere. Csb: When I was a kid my dad got a job as a dishwasher making minimum wage. We lived in a weekly hotel during that time. This was in California btw.

Bottom line: way more than 0.1% of homelessness isn't covered in what you said. If you don’t believe me, go out, talk to homeless people, and ask them how they got there. Some have mental issues, but most are based on substance abuse...

Dbeasy · July 27, 2019

My guess (I have no data) of who mostly is homeless on the streets of Austin: mentally messed up in some way or addicted to drugs. There may also be “able-bodied” people out there but the mental problems make working a challenge. There are also a few grifters who’ve chosen that lifestyle. The homeless who aren’t visibly wandering around Austin are probably in a tough spot economically but somehow hide their homelessness.

July 27, 2019

7 hours ago, Thujone said:

Until you start to solve the causes of homelessness, it will be a problem. What stops that is privileged cunts who prattle on about how "people should just pick themselves up by their bootstraps." People (especially on this thread) love to talk about homelessness like it's a choice. Sure some of the dragrats have chosen that life, no doubt. But homelessness is 99.9% a function of economics, education, race and job pay.

Wow, you are beyond wrong. We now know that the vast majority of it IS NOT a function of economics, education, race, and job pay...but disability, mental illness and addiction issues.

You're describing is transient/transitional homelessness. They do account for a significant portion, but not the 99% you mentioned. Chronic and episodic make up a huge chunk and their causes/issues are the ones I mentioned above, not you.

Bozo_Casanova · July 27, 2019

Until you start to solve the causes of homelessness, it will be a problem. What stops that is privileged cunts who prattle on about how "people should just pick themselves up by their bootstraps." People (especially on this thread) love to talk about homelessness like it's a choice. Sure some of the dragrats have chosen that life, no doubt. But homelessness is 99.9% a function of economics, education, race and job pay.

I agree with the sprit of what you are saying here, but Lobo is right. What you are taking about is transitional homelessness and housing insecurity, the kind depicted in the extremely wonderful film “The Florida Project” which everyone in the world should see, and the kind experienced by many people in Austin from New Orleans in the 18ish months following Hurricane Katrina.

Permanent homelessness isn’t about economics, education, race, and income except maybe a few steps down the line. It’s about the nexus of despair, mental illness, domestic violence, PTSD, predation, and drugs with the indifference, inhumanity and willful ignorance on proud display in this thread.

Bozo_Casanova · July 27, 2019

My guess (I have no data) of who mostly is homeless on the streets of Austin: mentally messed up in some way or addicted to drugs. There may also be “able-bodied” people out there but the mental problems make working a challenge. There are also a few grifters who’ve chosen that lifestyle. The homeless who aren’t visibly wandering around Austin are probably in a tough spot economically but somehow hide their homelessness.

Most of the grifters aren’t homeless. They are just outside.

MissingInAction · July 27, 2019

50 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

Most of the grifters aren’t homeless. They are just outside.

We have a bingo!

AUS-97HORN · July 27, 2019

since this ordinance went into effect, the area around Ohlen/183 & Burnet/183 has become a de-facto camp. There are literally old pergolas and tailgating tents set up in multiple places, each tent has between 2-5 shopping carts full of shit in them, and numerous old office chairs are now being used all over the place.

There was the video a few days ago where the guy just decided to light the street on fire just for the fuck of it. and its getting so you cant even stop at the lights there without having someone try to wash your windshield/pandhandle/ or just run out into the street and block anyone from being able to drive off

Hornius Emeritus · July 28, 2019

15th and San Antonio. Three people sleeping. Fire pit. High backed chair.

Armybrat · July 28, 2019

That certainly is a part of it. Druggies & alcoholics have to have the desire to kick their volunteered “diseases”. Otherwise treatment ain’t gonna do diddly.

Chet Steadman · July 28, 2019

Despite this ordinance being repealed over a month ago it’s still one of the Top 3 stories every.single.night on the news.

Aside from the Austin bombings last spring, I can’t recall a single story which has garnered this much constant media attention.

July 28, 2019

Rock thrower, SXSW murdering driver, Uber/Lyft van, bomber spree, downtown overnight assault rifle spree, plane into IRS office guy, glass panes from W tower, active shooter on UT camps, stabber on UT campus, student murdered by transient on campus, myriad ROT rally crimes and fatalities...it’s been quite a decade ‘round here...

tx 3 putt · July 28, 2019

4 hours ago, Chet Steadman said:

Despite this ordinance being repealed over a month ago it’s still one of the Top 3 stories every.single.night on the news.

Aside from the Austin bombings last spring, I can’t recall a single story which has garnered this much constant media attention.

#ratings

SquishMitten · July 28, 2019

You also need political will. Rounding people up for forced removal isn't an easy sell. That's one of the main reasons why it hasn't been done.
Also, the people in east Travis County don't want facilities like this in their backyard, either.

That’s been addressed many times. You don’t have to “round people up.” When they do something that would otherwise lead them to being taken to jail, the cops take them to the new facility. All of the drug addicts/mentally unstable folks will eventually be picked up. As for the folks who want the help, just have planned pickup locations and transport them.

CHAD BRISCOE · July 29, 2019

yeah I do'nt know if he was Retarded our not but yeah J. T. use to just hang out at our School when we was little I do'nt think he work there he was too Retarded .

HornOnTheBayou · July 29, 2019

4 hours ago, Lobo said:

Rock thrower, SXSW murdering driver, Uber/Lyft van, bomber spree, downtown overnight assault rifle spree, plane into IRS office guy, glass panes from W tower, active shooter on UT camps, stabber on UT campus, student murdered by transient on campus, myriad ROT rally crimes and fatalities...it’s been quite a decade ‘round here...

Pope Paul, Malcolm X, British politician sex
JFK, blown away, what else do I have to say

July 29, 2019

12 minutes ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

Pope Paul, Malcolm X, British politician sex
JFK, blown away, what else do I have to say

We didn't toss the rocks.

No, they've always been fallin'

since tex-dot's been callin...

We didn't toss the rocks.

Kitchen's taxi pay

Blown away

What else do I have to say?

Edited July 29, 2019 by Lobo

HenryJames · July 29, 2019

I think if all the homeless were given guitars, everything would be fine.

crash_davis · July 29, 2019

downtown LA. our city leaders are aspiring austin to match this clusterfuck.

HenryJames · July 29, 2019

Looks like gameday.

Moby Ric · July 29, 2019

I was there over the weekend. I lived there in the mid 90's and I don't recognize Austin anymore. Between the homeless cities and the scooters I was floored. I come to Austin often but way up north, I don't normally go into downtown. It was depressing.

crash_davis · July 29, 2019

30 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

Looks like gameday.

but with more lice and bubonic plague.

alincoln · July 29, 2019

29 minutes ago, Moby Ric said:

I was there over the weekend. I lived there in the mid 90's and I don't recognize Austin anymore. Between the homeless cities and the scooters I was floored. I come to Austin often but way up north, I don't normally go into downtown. It was depressing.

It is beginning to become an issue for convention location selection due to complaints from attendees. Still just a minor negative consideration as opposed to being the primary reason for not selecting the city like SF is experiencing.

ZB'Tejas · July 29, 2019

What do they need all the tents for? Weather is perfect in LA and it's barely rains.

In all seriousness that Skid Row area is a complete shit hole and I've driven through it several times. But it does seem concentrated and not near major businesses. It's not like that downtown LA where all the "normal" people work and hang out. Austin is starting to have this everywhere that actually encroaches on people in their normal lives.

crash_davis · July 29, 2019

i can only imagine the amount of resources dedicated to this issue.

i also never go dtown anymore. had a friend and hs gf in town. i tried to steer us to rainey street. his gf wanted to experience 6th street. reluctantly i agreed. in a span of 2 hours, i saw an ambulance on congress tending to some homeless fuckstick probably passed out on k2 or someshit. and on 5th, saw another ambulance crew tending to another homeless fuckstick in the middle of the sidewalk.

there's no amount or money or shelter that will solve what ails these fuckers. they are homeless because they are addicted to drugs. they are homeless because the want to be homeless. no one is going to miraculously convince these fucksticks that they need to go to rehab and get clean. neither do i want to pay for these 2 and all the other 7000 shitheads to go to rehab only to relapse a week later.

if someone wants to buy a plot of land in the middle of nowhere south texas or college station and ship these fuckers off to so that they can happily overdose surrounded by their ilk, i'll gladly start the gofundme and donate.

Bozo_Casanova · July 29, 2019

I’m downtown all the time. It’s exactly like it has been for years. A bunch of people just found out.

Welcome to Austin, Crash.

Celery Man · July 29, 2019

i wish there was some way to combine the approach that civilized countries take with our insatiable thirst to lord poor decisions over people who are suffering worse than we are

Bozo_Casanova · July 29, 2019

First you make a roux

BearSchlong · July 29, 2019

To @Celery Man's point, Anecdote time, because I personally know many formerly (and present) homeless. Yesterday I drove a few guys from their homes to recovery meetings. These men each have over 3 years of abstinence from drugs/alcohol.

One guy works construction and gets paid in cash, $300 a week. He has his own section 8 apartment. He was bitching about how his job opportunities are significantly limited due to past felonies and the $60K in past due child support that accrued while he was locked up. If he get a legitimate job with an employer that withholds taxes then the AG's office is going to levy 60% of his income. Let's say this guy's ceiling is $15/hr then that's $600/week gross. . .even without other withholding that means he'd take home $240, which means he'd lose his abode.

I recommended that he go visit the AG's office and state his case. He replied that he has countless times, but the most they would be willing to budge is 1%, and then they act like they're doing him a huge favor.

The other guy is doing fantastic - MHMR has him on the right meds and he lost his SS disability about a year ago so he either has to earn money or live on the streets. Anyway, he's living in a halfway house and bicycling to work at Jack in the box, and he's very proud of his job. He's collected 3 paychecks but he says that the AG is about to torch him as well. I hope he can keep his room at the halfway house after the impending wage garnishments.

Both these guys have been homeless/mentally ill/addicted, and found a way out, or at least a way to get some manageability in their lives.

I bring up the subject of "other compounded financial obligations" because I'd venture many homeless are in the same situation - at some point they were unable to provide for their children and those financial obligations continued to accrue. Same thing with cost of licensing, i.e. they had a DWI or other offense and it would take thousands to restore their right to drive legally. Same thing with probation/parole fees, restitution, etc. Even the IRS gets their piece.

One formerly homeless buddy of mine got a bank account to document his expenses for his house painting business. . .he's actually a single dad to a 5 year old, and the AG's office got delayed in processing court orders (mom got child support for a few months, then in a follow up order she was ordered to pay the dad when it became clear that he was going to be the child's custodial parent, mom's still an addict) He went to pay his day workers and go buy formula for his daughter only to find his bank account had been emptied by the AGs office. Took them a month to refund the money.

So the homeless who do want to become self supporting through their own means are immediately looking at wage garnishment should they attempt to get a traditional job in today's economy. That's a huge obstacle.

Not saying they shouldn't pay obligations, but IMO it's a modern day version of debtor's prison.

Edited July 29, 2019 by BearSchlong

ChickenSandwich · July 29, 2019

On 7/27/2019 at 10:19 PM, Hornius Emeritus said:

15th and San Antonio. Three people sleeping. Fire pit. High backed chair.

Bozo, I disagree....

This group here provided some street art for the Texas Medical Association building across the street at 15th and San Antonio. Been downtown daily for a decade and it's never been like this. Guess we need an app now

Spoiler

feel sorry for the poor bastard who exits this door today

Edited July 29, 2019 by ChickenSandwich

chitwood · July 29, 2019

There have been homeless pissing and shitting in the parking garage (First United Methodist I think) at 13th and Lavaca for years. It isn't new. The amount of tents out in the open are new.

crash_davis · July 29, 2019

52 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

I’m downtown all the time. It’s exactly like it has been for years. A bunch of people just found out.

Welcome to Austin, Crash.

when i used to work dtown, i used to drive by the arch almost everyday (going home to lunch and business end). i'd see ambulances every now and then but mostly only in front of arch in the middle of the day. back then, the homeless were confined to arch, under 35 over pass by the police station and on 6th. now they are every where. we used go to parkside and chez nous regularly for dinner. i very seldom saw ambulances treating the homeless. it seems to be an hourly thing now. i never go to parkside or chez nous anymore bc parking is a beating and i don't want to deal with the homeless.

Celery Man · July 29, 2019

16 minutes ago, BearSchlong said:

To @Celery Man's point, Anecdote time, because I personally know many formerly (and present) homeless. Yesterday I drove a few guys from their homes to recovery meetings. These men each have over 3 years of abstinence from drugs/alcohol.

One guy works construction and gets paid in cash, $300 a week. He has his own section 8 apartment. He was bitching about how his job opportunities are significantly limited due to past felonies and the $60K in past due child support that accrued while he was locked up. If he get a legitimate job with an employer that withholds taxes then the AG's office is going to levy 60% of his income. Let's say this guy's ceiling is $15/hr then that's $600/week gross. . .even without other withholding that means he'd take home $240, which means he'd lose his abode.

I recommended that he go visit the AG's office and state his case. He replied that he has countless times, but the most they would be willing to budge is 1%, and then they act like they're doing him a huge favor.

The other guy is doing fantastic - MHMR has him on the right meds and he lost his SS disability about a year ago so he either has to earn money or live on the streets. Anyway, he's living in a halfway house and bicycling to work at Jack in the box, and he's very proud of his job. He's collected 3 paychecks but he says that the AG is about to torch him as well. I hope he can keep his room at the halfway house after the impending wage garnishments.

Both these guys have been homeless/mentally ill/addicted, and found a way out, or at least a way to get some manageability in their lives.

I bring up the subject of "other compounded financial obligations" because I'd venture many homeless are in the same situation - at some point they were unable to provide for their children and those financial obligations continued to accrue. Same thing with cost of licensing, i.e. they had a DWI or other offense and it would take thousands to restore their right to drive legally. Same thing with probation/parole fees, restitution, etc. Even the IRS gets their piece.

One formerly homeless buddy of mine got a bank account to document his expenses for his house painting business. . .he's actually a single dad to a 5 year old, and the AG's office got delayed in processing court orders (mom got child support for a few months, then in a follow up order she was ordered to pay the dad when it became clear that he was going to be the child's custodial parent, mom's still an addict) He went to pay his day workers and go buy formula for his daughter only to find his bank account had been emptied by the AGs office. Took them a month to refund the money.

So the homeless who do want to become self supporting through their own means are immediately looking at wage garnishment should they attempt to get a traditional job in today's economy. That's a huge obstacle.

Not saying they shouldn't pay obligations, but IMO it's a modern day version of debtor's prison.

talked to a guy a while back who was staying at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center on Congress. He was trying to get clean from an opiate addiction that started when he fell off his roof and got hooked on the painkillers they gave him for his back. He was from Kansas, was in Austin for some reason or other, got arrested after a barfight, and now (then, it's been a while) can't leave the state because of his probation. I'm not sure how much I bought his story (the part about being homeless because his probation causes him to not be able to go to the state where his home is) but those stories reminded me of that. was not optimistic about that guy's chance, although he was making an effort of it and was clean enough to still be staying at the ARC

Bigpoppapump · July 29, 2019

If I had a dime for every time I’m walked in on a homeless pissing/shitting in the St David’s garage, I’d have like 40 dimes.

crash_davis · July 29, 2019

Just now, Bigpoppapump said:

If I had a dime for every time I’m walked in on a homeless pissing/shitting in the St David’s garage, I’d have like 40 dimes.

is that a lot?

Bozo_Casanova · July 29, 2019

If I had a dime for every time I’m walked in on a homeless pissing/shitting in the St David’s garage, I’d have like 40 dimes.

My kids called the stairs in the St David’s garage the pee-pee stairs.

ChickenSandwich · July 29, 2019

for clarification, this is not IN the garage. It's five feet from the sidewalk and directly across the street from iFratelli pizza and Starbucks (sweet unobstructed view). Whoever dropped this deuce wasn't afraid of an audience

Bozo_Casanova · July 29, 2019

when i used to work dtown, i used to drive by the arch almost everyday (going home to lunch and business end). i'd see ambulances every now and then but mostly only in front of arch in the middle of the day. back then, the homeless were confined to arch, under 35 over pass by the police station and on 6th. now they are every where. we used go to parkside and chez nous regularly for dinner. i very seldom saw ambulances treating the homeless. it seems to be an hourly thing now. i never go to parkside or chez nous anymore bc parking is a beating and i don't want to deal with the homeless.

It’s been like that for over a year. It’s bad.

Hornius Emeritus · July 29, 2019

Yeah, I'm going to have to disagree with Bozo, too. Sure there have been people peeing in parking garages since the first one was built downtown, but we're on a whole 'nother level of craziness now. Clearly, the homeless population has exploded.

RCRanger03 · July 29, 2019

I have some thoughts about the media narrative + visual experience of worsening homelessness vs the facts/figures that we have, but it will have to wait until after work, kiddos, and the missus

Edited July 29, 2019 by RCRanger03

demos · July 29, 2019

If I had a dime for every time I’m walked in on a homeless pissing/shitting in the St David’s garage, I’d have like 40 dimes.

Depending on when it was, one of those people pissing in that garage might’ve been me, and i was just drunk, not homeless.

crash_davis · July 29, 2019

2 minutes ago, demos said:

... and i was just drunk, not homeless.

you'll excuse us if we can't discern the difference.

July 29, 2019

Good news is you can drunkenly jaywalk across any street in the Austin CBD. And if an APD officer stops you...just confidently declare, "There was a homeless guy right there harassing me." They'll immediately forget about you and go looking for that guy. Meantime, you're in the next bar having a cold 'ole one...

Deej · July 29, 2019

I always find it to be a good idea to hang near the ARCH before heading to the bars.

Quote

According to the affidavit, the victim and a woman were hanging out near the ARCH before heading over to a bar when the woman noticed the victim and Mohinga, whom she knows personally, were fighting nearby and went to break it up.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190729/man-shot-in-leg-saturday-night-near-arch-police-say

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