Homeless population in Austin, Texas soars.

The homeless population in Austin, Texas has soared to one of the highest records of all time in 2019. Current estimates of the homeless population in Austin is 15,500. At least 7,500 people face homeless each year in Austin. Over half of the homeless population in Austin are not even from the area.

As of 2019, there are almost 19,000 homeless people living in Austin and Travis County. The homeless population rate has soared in Austin ever since Donald Trump has taken office as president. There is no coincidence in the homeless population rate soaring ever since Donald Trump took office. Homeless population rates have soared across the country as well. 200% higher than the homeless rates from 20 years ago.

Tent cities has sprung up overpasses of several highways across town. Some homeless people have even taken refuge in public parks in overgrown areas covered with shrubs. Bus stops are another place homeless people can be seen congregating at.

Many of the homeless congregate Downtown, Wooten, Rundberg, Rutland, William Cannon, Oak Hill, and South Austin. Homeless shelters such as KOA and Community First have sprung up in the Decker neighborhood east of US 183. Many of the homeless people have congregated in South Austin in places along Loop 360 (Capital of Texas Highway), SH 71 (Highway 71), US 183, and I 35.

An estimated 50% of the homeless population in Austin suffers from drug addiction. Drug addiction among the homeless is not uncommon in Austin at all. Many homeless people in Austin develop unhealthy addictions to certain drugs many of which are illegal.

Over 60% of the homeless population in Austin suffers from some form of mental health issues or suffer from drug addiction. Many of the homeless people in Austin are drug addicts. Drug addiction is one of many issues homeless people face in Austin.

Now the homeless crisis in Austin has been getting worse since the City of Austin recently decriminalized homelessness. The new homelessness ordinances that allow anyone to camp anywhere on city property as long as they don't create a nuisance, are not an immediate threat, or impede the right of way.

The new homelessness ordinances allowed tent cities to form on public sideways if as long as they don't create a nuisance or impede the right of way. Tent cities have formed on public sidewalks because of this.

However not everyone is happy with the new ordinances. Republicans feel as if Austin’s land code policies allow the homeless to do whatever they want. Democrats are the ones who pushed for the new homelessness ordinances. Officials want to clean up the streets as they are concerned about public safety. However some of the demands from officials are not in the best interest of those facing homelessness or experiencing anything similar.

Austin faces a sad reality of an ever-growing homeless problem which both political parties hardly protect. The visibility of homelessness needs to be addressed. Both Republican and Democratic policies have failed to protect society’s most vulnerable population. Both parties need to be held accountable for the damage they have caused towards the homeless population in not only Austin, Texas but America.

The homeless rate continues to rise and shows no signs of decreasing anytime soon.