AUSTIN, Texas — The homelessness crisis in Texas' capital city is coming to a major vote on May 1.
Walking the streets of downtown Austin, both city advocates and members of the unhoused community are seeking a better solution than citywide camping bans.
As he walks down 6th Street, Joao Paulo Connolly, of the Austin Justice Coalition, says this is the Austin he’s always remembered. A place for everyone.
“When folks say 'Save Austin,' I always wonder what Austin they are talking about. We all want to address the crisis around people experiencing homelessness, the fact that there are many people very visibly with no place to go. Criminalizing it just doesn’t work,” said Connolly.
Homelessness in the city has been a heated talking point for years. Local advocates both in for and against a citywide ban continue to butt heads on what’s best for the city.
“The answer is housing and it always will be housing. We cannot hide this problem. We can’t police it away. The only way that we can deal with this is through housing and support services,” said Chris Harris of Texas Appleseed.
Proposition B, a citywide ordinance that will criminalize camping, is coming up on the ballot. Connolly says criminalization is not the answer, and he believes it will only make things worse.
"We’re going to throw folks into a loop. It’s going to be an endless loop where they get arrested for a misdemeanor or a fine and then go into jail and end up back on the street,” said Connolly.
Prop B will also prohibit sitting, lying in public areas and put a limit on soliciting.
“It sickens me to think that mankind is losing kindness so much that people are upset that those without a roof over their head for whatever reason. Why? Because it’s an eyesore?”said David Leith Allan, Jr.
Allan is an Austin native who’s experienced homelessness for the last couple of years. He believes he should be given a choice as to where he wants to call home.