Skip to main content
austintexas.gov

Action Navigation

  • 3-1-1
austintexas.gov
Search

Main menu

Home
  • Resident

    Resident

    Open the Resident page
      Open the Resident page
    • Household
      • Getting a Home
      • Utilities
      • Trash and Recycling
      • Gardening and Home Improvements
      • Home Improvements
      • Pets and Adoption
      Open the Household page
    • Neighborhoods
      • Education
      • Libraries
      • Families
      • Neighborhood Issues
      Open the Neighborhoods page
    • Health
      • Animals
      • Public Health
      Open the Health page
    • Public Safety
      • Crime
      • Courts
      • Fire Safety
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Safety Employment
      Open the Public Safety page
    • Arts and Leisure
      • Arts, History and Culture
      • Outdoor, Nature and Wildlife
      • Events
      • City Venues and Facilities
      • Film and Music
      Open the Arts and Leisure page
    • Environmental
      • City Programs and Initiatives
      • Conservation and Recycling
      • Animals and Wildlife
      • Parks
      Open the Environmental page
    • Transportation
      • Car/Bus
      • Aviation
      • Bicycle/Pedestrian
      • Streets/Maps
      Open the Transportation page
    • City of Austin
      • About Austin
      • Voting and Elections
      • Get Involved
      • City Jobs
      • Records and Documents
      Open the City of Austin page
  • Business

    Business

    Open the Business page
      Open the Business page
    • Doing Business
      • Utilities
      • Doing Business with the City
      • Taxes
      • MBE/WBE Program
      • City Code
      • Food Establishments
      • Permits
      • Day Labor
      • Records and Documents
      Open the Doing Business page
    • Starting Out
      • Starting a Business
      • Relocating a Business
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Starting Out page
    • City Contracts
    • Small Business Centers
      • Small Business Development
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Small Business Centers page
    • Austin Center for Events
    • Nonprofits
      • Grants
      Open the Nonprofits page
    • Green Resources
  • Government

    Government

    Open the Government page
      Open the Government page
    • City Council
    • City Manager's Office
    • Boards and Commissions
    • City Council meeting information
    • City Hall
    • Jobs
    • Public Records
  • Departments

    Departments

    View full directory of departments

    Frequently Viewed Departments

      View full directory of departments
    • Visit
      • Airport
      • Visitors Bureau
      • Convention Center
    • Utilities
      • Austin Energy
      • Austin Water
      • Resource Recovery
    • Education & Recreation
      • Library
      • Parks and Recreation
    • Safety
      • Police
    • Other
      • Animal Service
      • Development Services
      • Economic Development
  • Connect

    Connect

      Open the Connect page
    • Share ideas online about improving Austin
    • Participate in the City
    • Sign up for email updates
    • City contact information
Council Chambers Meeting
  1. Departments
  2. Communications
  3. News
  4. City Begins Final Phase of Proposition B Enforcement

City Begins Final Phase of Proposition B Enforcement

  • Home
  • Services
  • Programs
  • Divisions
  • Media
  • News
  • FAQ
City of Austin Seal

City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Aug. 06, 2021
Contact: Communications and Public Information Office        Email

The fourth and final phase of the City's public camping ban enforcement plan begins Sunday, August 8.

On Sunday, August 8, the final phase of Proposition B enforcement begins. If an Austin Police Department (APD) officer issues a citation and the individual does not voluntarily leave the area, APD will arrest the individual for violation of the camping ordinance. Anyone arrested for violation of the camping ordinance, will be processed through the Downtown Austin Community Court whenever possible.  

Approved by Austin voters on May 1, Proposition B, makes it a criminal offense (Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine) for anyone to sit or lie down on sidewalks in the downtown area, camp in public areas, and solicit or aggressively solicit money or other things of value at specific hours and locations.  

Since May 11, Austin Police Department officers have visited more than 605 people experiencing homelessness at encampments and other areas across Austin. Officers have issued 572 written warnings and 24 citations. No arrests have been made related to the camping ban to date. Officers have connected more than 124 people with social support services, which includes referrals for 34 veterans. 

APD and city partners are focused on taking a responsible and humane approach to enforcing the law and working with the people who are impacted. 

City leaders are also continuing to caution that while resources to address homelessness are increasing, overall community crisis shelter capacity remains limited.  Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey stated in a memo to Council this week that her team is continuing to monitor opportunities for the restoration of beds at existing city shelters, but the current COVID-19 risk level does not allow for safe restoration of bed capacity.   

Austin Police Department has been working with City departments and community-based providers to promote voluntary compliance for people camping in public spaces in violation of the new law, with an emphasis on encampments with the greatest health and safety risks.  In Phase 4, enforcement will occur regardless risks associated with the encampments. 

The City's phased approach pertains only to sites that were in existence prior to the new City ordinance going into effect on May 11, 2021. Individuals who attempt to set up new camps are subject to immediate notification of violation, and enforcement action, if necessary.  

Several other City departments – including Public Works, Austin Resource Recovery, Parks and Recreation, and Watershed Protection – continue to conduct both regularly scheduled and as needed clean ups at underpasses, parks, and creeks.  City teams are finding many abandoned encampments, allowing them to make final clean ups to public spaces. These ongoing efforts are independent of activities related to implementation of the camping ordinance.

For more information go to: AustinTexas.Gov/PropB-Homeless. 

Share

City of Austin

Footer Menu

  • Get information or assistance
  • Give feedback on our website
  • Site Map
  • Public Records
  • City Council Message Board
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Second Footer Menu

  • Visit Austin
  • City Directory
  • Jobs
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS