Austin news: Homeless woman raped with 2 yr old daughter in her arms (townhomes, living)

[southdown]

I am in shock - how can a two-year-old be sleeping on the streets in modern-day Austin? Doesn't the city provide shelter for homeless people, especially if they have a child?

KXAN.com - News, Weather, Sports - Austin, TX | Homeless woman raped with daughter in her arms

[b. frank]

Originally Posted by southdown

I am in shock - how can a two-year-old be sleeping on the streets in modern-day Austin?

Somehow I doubt that this was the child's decision.

Doesn't the city provide shelter for homeless people, especially if they have a child?

Yes.

[jimmyjack]

What country are you from? That's the way we do it here in the USA.

[southdown]

Wow. You guys seem to be very accepting of this.

I am confused - I would imagine a woman with a two year old would not sleep on the streets out of choice, but are you saying there are shelters but the woman chose not to use them? If so, I wonder why not...

[atxcio]

Yes, there are shelters. The people who sleep outside or on the street for the most part opt to be there rather than the shelters. The shelters typically have rules which many will not abide by; curfews, no drinking, smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc. But if their priority is getting off the street there is shelter enough for everyone.

It is pretty common knowledge here, the people outside (even this woman) do not want to stay in the shelters.

[southdown]

Originally Posted by atxcio

Yes, there are shelters. The people who sleep outside or on the street for the most part opt to be there rather than the shelters. The shelters typically have rules which many will not abide by; curfews, no drinking, smoking, alcohol, etc. But if there priority is getting off the street there is shelter enough.

Thank you for the info.

[Trainwreck20]

Most shelters require that you be inside by a certain time and do not allow you to bring in alcohol or drugs; therefore, many homeless people chose to stay outside of the shelter so that they can panhandle later into the night or get their drugs/alcohol.

Edit : oops, got your answer already

[southdown]

Are the city shelters all night-only?

With a 2 year old child, you'd think there would be better options in Austin than a shelter where you have to line up every day...? How can you look after a baby on the streets all day?

[Driftwood1]

When I was in the Northeast in the early 90's I worked for a company which built 10 townhomes to GIVE to homeless people to start a new life..
Within 2 months all were abandoned or taken over by drug users...
Most of these poor souls choose the street, that is except for the poor 2yr old...
Where is CPS?

[atxcio]

That's a good point, CPS should be aware of all children who are living amongst these homeless people. I didn't think they allowed the children to stay with a homeless parent. The mothers/children do have places, I believe, where they can stay all the day.