Proposed Map for Sanctioned Campsites Perpetuates Austin’s Racist History

Resources that could be channeled towards real solutions will again be wasted on temporary bandaids.

On May 6, Resolution №20210506–070 directed staff to evaluate possible locations for sanctioned encampments for people experiencing homelessness in the City of Austin. The resolution states: “Ultimately, the City Manager shall provide possible options for at least ten locations, one in each Council District, across the City for Council and community consideration”. After evaluations, on May 18, city staff presented a tentative map with locations in every district that could be considered for designated campsites.

What follows is a reiteration of our stance on the issue and response to the map presented:

1. Austin Justice Coalition is opposed to the sanctioned campsites “strategy”. The conversation is demeaning to our unhoused neighbors — treating them like problems to be pushed around between districts. It wastes time and money, to the tune of what may amount to over $18 Million per year. This is money that should be spent providing long-term structural solutions but will instead be wasted on bandaids that will move us no closer to effectively housing our neighbors.
2. The map of proposed locations is a reflection of Austin’s long history of racist zoning and land-use codes. It clearly demonstrates a much wider variety and flexibility of land uses in the districts where Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, along with the majority of Austin’s working class, have been confined since the city’s 1928 Master Plan.
3. Resolution №20210506–070 was designed as an urgent response to Prop B, which has put many of our unhoused neighbors at immediate risk. This illustrates how Prop B created more obstacles and expenses in place of long term solutions. The city is wasting money to temporarily hide the crisis it caused itself. It will only get worse and more expensive as non-solutions are put in place one after another.
4. Every district must comply with the plan to provide at least one campsite that is close to resources and amenities. A wider variety of campsite options in East Austin does not change the original resolution which clearly states that every council district must provide at least one campsite. The lack of initial options in West Austin does not change that initial commitment. Voter maps demonstrate which districts heavily supported Prop B yet the initial campsite map targets East Austin.
5. The Black Leaders Collective of Austin has requested to be involved in the process around selecting the campsites, and has highlighted the inequities made evident in the current map. Any further plans, moving forward, should incorporate demands from the BLC and actively work to avoid repetition of past injustices.
6. Ultimately, our time and resources should be urgently focused on transformational solutions and substantive action. The real goal is to provide housing and resources. We cannot allow the politics around designated campsites or other half-measures to deter us.
7. As long as Austin prioritizes the wealthy, white aesthetic concerns with half measures and racist policy, we will stand opposed.

Austin Justice Coalition has put forward a petition asking City Council and the County Commissioners Court to EACH commit $100 million in funding to a new plan that will provide housing and services for our unhoused neighbors.

To take meaningful action, sign the petition today, at: https://austinjustice.org/sign-the-petition-fund-the-summit-plan/