Homelessness

The rules also prohibit "aggressive panhandling" and food distribution in public parking lots. City Council's unanimous vote Tuesday came despite concerns from advocates.

To qualify for federal money, Austin and other cities conduct what's called a point-in-time count of people sleeping outside or in emergency shelters.

Last year, the city allocated $30.3 million to help those experiencing homelessness, but that amount needs to more than double for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, according to the city's Homeless Strategy Office.

The City of Austin agreed to pay Housing Connector $2.14 million over two years. The company currently operates in at least three other cities, including Dallas, Denver and Portland, Oregon.

Central Health's bridge program offers an alternative to the emergency room when unhoused people have health needs.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in North Austin started opening its doors to people experiencing homelessness earlier this year. The church aims to have the pop-up shelter up and running anytime the temperature hits 35 degrees or lower.

Unlike nearby Travis County, Williamson County does not have any government run overnight shelters for the area’s homeless population — including when it gets cold outside. Residents frustrated by the situation came together to create their own solution this winter.

The study looked at the causes of death of more than 1,000 people without housing who died over a five-year period.

Once the decision to open cold-weather shelters is made, the decision stands – even if the forecast changes.

After receiving community feedback, the city lowered the temperature threshold to open the shelters and started giving people experiencing homelessness more of a heads up.