Governor Greg Abbott continues to crack down on homeless.

Governor Greg Abbott has been cracking down on the homeless population in Austin, Texas recently. Remember his charming tweet on Twitter? "Texas will hammer Travis County.” That is what his tweet said specifically. Greg Abbott has inserted himself into the city’s debate over the recent decriminalization of homelessness. He is right in the middle of everything regarding this debate. His threats have continued to override Austin's elected officials. Abbott has threatened to take action if officials do not clean up the streets.

Governor Greg Abbott feels Austin’s land code policies allow the homeless to do whatever they want. 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. His threats have continued to override Austin's elected officials. Abbott has threatened to take action if officials do not clean up the streets.

His letter listed a number of state agencies which would have authority to take action within the city. These agencies include Department of State Health Services, Office of the Attorney General, and the Department of Public Safety. His demands are not in the best interest of those facing homelessness or experiencing anything similar.


The homeless population in Austin, Texas continues to soar. Current estimates of the homeless population in Austin is over 15,500. 7,500 people face homeless each year in Austin and Travis County. Yet over half of the homeless population in Austin are not even from the area.

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. An estimated 60% of the homeless population in Austin suffers from some form of mental health issues. Drug addiction is one of many issues homeless people face in Austin.

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.

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.

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.

An estimated 50% of the-then homeless population in Austin suffered from some form of mental health issues and drug addiction. Drug addiction among the homeless was not uncommon at that time. Many homeless people in Austin developed unhealthy addictions to certain drugs. Many of which are illegal.

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