The city of Austin moved 20 individuals living in an encampment at St. Johns Ave. and I-35 to a shelter through the program Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link, according to a city press release.

The city launched HEAL in February 2021—shortly before voters passed Proposition B in May, which made camping in the city illegal—and focuses on cleaning up “high-priority” encampments, such as those that pose a public safety risk.

Since June, HEAL has relocated 170 people into bridge shelters—two hotels that have been renovated into temporary shelters—according to the release.

"Nearly everyone we have offered shelter to is eager to move off the street when we’re able to offer dignified shelter and real resources to get into housing," Austin Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey said in the press release.

The program entered its second phase in November with the goal of relocating 200 individuals by September 2022.