AUSTIN, Texas -- In a surprising move, the City of Austin Thursday announced its new homeless strategy officer, Lori Pampilo Harris, will transition to a part-time consulting role.
- Lori Pampilo Harris started in early September
- Moving to consulting role due to family obligations
- Full interview available here
The role was designed to coordinate city department services.
According to Austin Assistant City Manager J. Rodney Gonzales, Harris relocated to Austin ahead of her family, and her family obligations “are such that she will be transitioning to a consultant role rather than a full-time employee role.”
Gonzales sated Harris will continue to guide the city in matters surrounding homelessness.
A short time later, Harris issued the following statement:
“I am committed to ending homelessness in Austin. While it is true that due to family obligations I will no longer be serving as a City employee, I will continue to perform many of the same functions in a consulting capacity. I sincerely believe that Austin has a real opportunity to resolve the challenge of homelessness and I look forward to contributing in this new role. This was not a decision I made lightly and I’ve had previous conversations with my immediate supervisor. I’m deeply appreciative of their understanding and willingness to work with me in a way that allows me to meet my family obligations and continue the work we’ve started. Working together, as a community, we can successfully address homelessness in Austin.”
Spectrum News reporter Reena Diamante on September 26 spoke at length with Harris about her role. That interview is available here.