A Statement on Prop B in Austin, Texas

​​Without any meaningful, new infrastructure in place, Prop B will simply move people experiencing homelessness out of sight (which seems to be the primary goal of several interests).  Also, the State of Texas passed a law forbidding taxing jurisdictions from raising their budgets higher than a certain percentage per year. In effect, it means that the City and County, even if they wanted to fund expansive programs to make headway, can't raise their budgets to do so (meaning other services they provide must decrease to accommodate it). 

Most services for the unhoused are in the central Austin area. Moving folks away from their caseworkers and other relevant services makes another artificial barrier to escaping homelessness.  ​

Picture taken and shared by Austin AHH volunteer, Sharon, at I-35 and 7th Street

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Click on the ECHO picture above to read the statement issued by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition.

​Out of so many conversations that have taken place recently regarding this issue (i.e. "pass it", "they need...", "they shouldn't be allowed to..."), what's most lacking are the voices of those directly impacted by this resolution. How do our friends and neighbors experiencing homelessness feel about their prospects of their journey to a housed situation?  What are the current barriers that hinder that transition for them? When is the last time you've spoken at length to multiple people living this reality to get a better sense of how you can advocate for improving conditions on their behalf? Do you know who all is involved within Travis County's Continuum of Care; do you know what a CoC is? What are the positions of the companies who are the primary providers of resources, healthcare, lodgings and housing assistance to those experiencing homelessness on this proposition?  What effect will it have on their ability to continue in that endeavor?

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Decreasing the entrances to homelessness and building more paths to exits is the primary goal of most Continuum of Cares. If you'd like to better understand, please visit the administrator organization of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and coordinator for Federal Housing and Urban Development procedures in Travis County, the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition at AustinECHO.org. 

It's going to take a huge effort over long periods of time to make systemic changes tackling this problem that affects the lives of so many people just like you. For millions of Americans, they are just a single missed paycheck away from living the same experience of those who will be primarily impacted by this resolution.​

Infographic detailing what Prop B does and does NOT do. Early voting begins April 19. Graphic provided by Virginia

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For information on voting locations, sample ballots, and other pertinent voting particulars, please visit the Travis County Clerk's website on Elections.  Thank you for taking a look at this important issue that affects so many in our community.


Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless
AustinAHH.org / Atheists.Help
22-HelpOut-2 (224-357-6882)
Info@AustinAHH.org