AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council has approved changes to some of the city's homeless ordinances.
- Vote happened at 2 a.m. Friday
- New South Austin shelter approved
- Council decriminalized public sitting and camping
At around 2 a.m. Friday, members voted in favor of changes relating to homeless people camping in public areas and aggressive confrontations. The changes ease restrictions on sitting, lying down, and camping unless it endangers the public.
Residents near the approved site are concerned with safety and litter in the area.
Cleo Petricek started a petition that has now been signed by more than 3,100 people since Sunday evening.
"We were furious because we felt like we were deceived," she said.
Petricek believes that residents should have been more involved in the decision. She started a Facebook group and plans to continue to fight the Council's decision.
RELATED | City Eyes South Austin Property for Site of New Homeless Shelter
Councilwoman Ann Kitchen, who represents the area, says there will be ongoing communication throughout the process.
In a statement Kitchen said "I understand that South Austinites want to help those in need, but have concerns about the public health and safety issues we are seeing on our streets. That's why the Council is putting restrictions on this new center to secure the property, by not allowing camping, not allowing drop-ins, limiting to no more than 100 beds, and providing services for the people living there."
Kitchen says that the Council has been working with neighbors and police for more than a year to address the issues.
"The city has a real estate process to protect the public's financial interests and hold the price of the land," said Kitchen. "Next step is a third-party appraisal and other analysis, before any purchase is made."
City council also reworked language on panhandling to now include all "aggressive confrontations."
Opponents believe the rules are counterproductive and actually hinder people who are homeless from finding housing and jobs.
Earlier, city council made another major decision — approving the purchase of a building in South Austin to be used as a shelter.