What happened
The city announced clearings as part of its ongoing Housing-focused Encampment Assistance Link, or HEAL, program that's relocated hundreds of people into shelters since its creation in 2021.
The HEAL cleanups took place in the St. Johns and Riverside Meadows areas, according to the city. Northbridge and Southbridge, Austin's two bridge shelters, welcomed 50 homeless residents, while the temporary Marshalling Yard emergency shelter facility took in 55 people.
“Providing shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, especially before the holidays, is a critical step in ensuring that everyone has a safe and warm place to call home during this season," Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray said in a statement. "This effort reflects our commitment to offer not just temporary relief, but long-term resources so our most vulnerable neighbors can find stability and rebuild their lives. This is just one step in our ongoing mission to end homelessness in Austin, and we look forward to bringing more people indoors in the new year."
Zooming out
The HEAL initiative has now relocated about 1,000 people living in encampments over the past 3 1/2 years, with more than 80% of those offered shelter accepting. The program started soon after Austinites voted to reinstate a civic camping ban, and as related enforcement efforts ramped up. Prior to the current fiscal year 2024-25, the city had spent more than $32 million on the HEAL program since its launch.
A group of city departments work together to monitor the many encampments around town and prioritize sites for HEAL activities. Relocated residents are typically offered shelter at Northbridge and Southbridge.
