Austin‘s Recent Homeless Encampment Sweep Cost Taxpayers $830,000
AUSTIN, TEXAS – A recent city-led sweep of homeless encampments in Austin cost taxpayers $830,000, according to city officials who briefed the austin City Council this week. The operation,intended to address concerns about public safety and neighborhood quality of life,faced criticism from advocates who argue such sweeps are ineffective and harmful.
The sweep’s high cost comes as the city grapples with ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness and follows voter rejection of Proposition Q last month, which would have increased property taxes to fund additional homeless services. Despite the financial outlay and the failed proposition, city officials maintain they are obligated to enforce Austin’s ban on public camping, reinstated by voters in 2021.
During the council briefing, City Manager Spencer Gray acknowledged a lack of coordination as a challenge during the operation. “Despite some repeat efforts, we just weren’t ever really able to sync up,” he said, calling for stronger cooperation with the state to reduce displacement.
Advocates with VOCAL-TX sharply criticized the sweep, stating it routinely pushes unhoused individuals into more risky situations. “Sweeps-and even the threat of sweeps-do nothing to solve homelessness.They merely push people into more dangerous hiding spots like creek beds where risk of injury or death is high,” said Eli Cortez, a community organizer with the group. He further characterized the expenditure as “indefensible” given the recent defeat of Prop Q.
Gray acknowledged the setback of Prop Q’s failure but emphasized the city’s duty to enforce the existing camping ban. “We have to do enforcement and we have to do it with fewer access to services,” he stated. “Now that we’ve ended the surge, we are evaluating the effectiveness of that strategy and figuring out how we continue to lead with compassion as we enforce the voter-approved mandate.”
A detailed assessment of the sweep, including recommendations for future operations, is expected to be presented to the council later this month.