Solution to Austin's homeless problem (Georgetown, Leander: home, taxes, to live)

[User error]

The homeless come from all over central Texas

[Antny12]

How about the homeless get jobs and integrate into society. Why should anyone have to pay for someone else to stand on the corner and beg? There are some people who really need help and have fallen on tough times. I get that but there are plenty of programs out there and government help out there. But the other majority are a nuisance to the city and surrounding area. Bus them out I suppose since that's what other cities do apparently.

[User error]

Originally Posted by Antny12

How about the homeless get jobs and integrate into society. Why should anyone have to pay for someone else to stand on the corner and beg? There are some people who really need help and have fallen on tough times. I get that but there are plenty of programs out there and government help out there. But the other majority are a nuisance to the city and surrounding area. Bus them out I suppose since that's what other cities do apparently.

Plenty of programs, yes. Locate those programs in the suburbs and Austin pays for them, or vice versa?

[CarnivalGal]

Both should help with a solution. I like what Mobile Loaves and Fishes is doing with their Community First Village. I think it's a good model to follow. Just throwing money at the problem doesn't help, and shelters only provide a temporary solution.

[User error]

Originally Posted by CarnivalGal

Both should help with a solution. I like what Mobile Loaves and Fishes is doing with their Community First Village. I think it's a good model to follow. Just throwing money at the problem doesn't help, and shelters only provide a temporary solution.

Agreed. Leander, Bee Caves, Lake Travis, Buda, and Georgetown should all have these villages, too.

[riaelise]

Originally Posted by User error

Agreed. Leander, Bee Caves, Lake Travis, Buda, and Georgetown should all have these villages, too.

why should they have the villages?

[Trainwreck20]

Maybe adequate mental health care - then it wouldn't really be an issue.

[CarnivalGal]

Originally Posted by User error

Agreed. Leander, Bee Caves, Lake Travis, Buda, and Georgetown should all have these villages, too.

I'm not opposed to that. The problem is that most homeless people don't have and can't afford a car. And seeing as there's no pubic transportation in most of these areas (or even parts of Austin, for that matter), it would be impossible for them to get to any job, grocery stores, doctors, etc.

And I agree that most chronically homeless people have some form of mental illness. Unless that problem is addressed, then all the shelters in the world won't solve the problem.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by CarnivalGal

Both should help with a solution. I like what Mobile Loaves and Fishes is doing with their Community First Village. I think it's a good model to follow. Just throwing money at the problem doesn't help, and shelters only provide a temporary solution.

It's si far out though. I'm not even sure if cap metro goes out to there. That's the only problem I see with it. A

And the solution is wat more complicated than you all make it seem.

[Longhorn Al]

They loiter on public property, but don't pay taxes, so it's not "their" public property. Round them up.


Test them. If they are suffering from mental illness, get them help. Put them in a facility or something.


If they are addicts, get them in a program and off the streets. Three strikes policy.


If they are not addicts and not crazy, but just fell on hard times (ex: lost their home due to financial crisis), get them into one of these live/work programs.


If they are just weirdoes who want to live the bohemian lifestyle, harass them.


It'll take work, money (taxes and charity), and volunteers. It won't be easy.