Austin's New Homeless Plan

The Austin City Council approved a plan proposed by Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a non-profit organization, to locate RV's and trailers in an undeveloped area of East Austin to house Austin's homeless. While the program, called the Park Place Village, has good intentions, the real question is will this solve any of the problems in Austin?



The goal of Mobile Loaves and Fishes is to end the homeless problem. But, does giving incentives for homeless the best plan? By giving incentives, such as housing, the homeless and hobos will naturally be even more attracted to our lovely sancturary city. Right now, the taxpayers will not have to foot the bill. But, the City Council is also amenable to granting a bond to assist Mobile Loaves and Fishes with the trailer park compound. What happens when the number of homeless exceed the room available in the trailer park? More than likely, the Austin taxpayers will be asked to pitch in to subsidize the incentives given to people who do not intend to contribute to society in a positive way.



My uncle was an alcoholic and homeless for nearly 20 years before he died. He went from one handout to the next, usually taking advantage of family members, only to fund his bad habits. No amount of counselling or rehab would change his attitudes.



I fear that if we give further taxpayer-funded and non-profit funded incentives that promote homelessness, the citizens of Austin will see even more homeless people, and the bad habits that goes with them, than we can count. This almost makes me want to move to Williamson County to get out of Austin's tax base.