Most Austinites experiencing homelessness will go without the city's shelters during this week's

[TexasTowelie]

Most Austinites experiencing homelessness will go without the city’s shelters during this week’s freeze


Like a lot of Texans in the year since last February’s catastrophic freeze, Eric Graham bought a generator.

But, unlike millions of Texans with generators, he’s not powering a home on Texas’ anxiety-inducing energy grid. He’s got his own grid. He set it up Tuesday evening, laying out a circuit of yellow and orange extension cords. They snaked their way into neighboring tents at St. Johns Park in North Austin, where nearly 30 Austinites experiencing homelessness on Tuesday were preparing for this week’s hard freeze.

They’re among hundreds of Austinites who likely won’t opt in to the city’s volunteer-based system to shelter people experiencing homelessness on cold nights. People needing a place to stay must register in person at the city’s office building at One Texas Center. Then, they’re shuttled to shelter at one of three sites run by the city.

Austin has retooled its system for sheltering since last year's freeze, when the city and county were, admittedly, caught flatfooted amid historic statewide blackouts. The city is now offering daytime warming centers, as it did during last year's winter storm, and the city's Homeland Security and Emergency Management department has taken a more active role in coordinating the shelter system.

Read more: https://www.kut.org/2022-02-02/most-austinites-experiencing-homelessness-will-go-without-the-citys-shelters-during-this-weeks-freeze

[LeftInTX]

1. Awful!