Government
Homeless oversight resets, funding in focus Austin’s homeless strategy division will be under new leadership following Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey’s resignation effective Sept. 29. What happened Grey shared her departure plans in late August. David Gray, a former economic development official who’d been overseeing homelessness since June, will take over on an interim basis. The big picture City Council on Aug. 31 also voted to create a new revenue stream for Austin’s homeless strategy work and account for how those city dollars are spent. The House Our People Endowment, or HOPE, fund proposed by Council Member Ryan Alter will act like an endowment, with a portion of resources dedicated to regular spending on
Austin officials push for A/C requirement A new rule to ensure all housing across the city is equipped to keep residents cool could be in place as soon as next summer. What happened? While Austin requires residential appli- ances to be in working order, there’s no city mandate for air conditioning in housing in the first place. As Austinites endured more than 45 triple-degree days this summer, Council Member Vanessa Fuentes proposed a new requirement to keep all rooms in a residence at a “comfortable” level well below outside temperatures. Following council’s Aug. 31 approval of that measure, a city code amendment process will get underway before a final ordinance solidifies any new rules.
“[Grey’s] impressive portfolio of work includes formally establishing the City’s Homeless Strategy Division, building a team of dedicated staff, and positioning Austin to accomplish our goal of making homelessness brief, rare
and nonrecurring.” JESÚS GARZA, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
COURTESY CITY OF AUSTIN
homelessness alongside a portion accumulating long-term equity. The fund will require new money to be officially set up. The changes come amid calls for more scrutiny of Austin’s homeless funding. In August, the resi- dent-led Human Rights Commission unanimously asked city leaders for a comprehensive report on Austin’s past decade of spending. Council Member Mackenzie Kelly also requested an audit.
November voting locations include more college sites
“Ensuring equal access for communities of color, youth voters, people with disabilities, and working-class
• Huston-Tillotson University will offer an early voting and Election Day polling location. • The University of Texas will have one early voting and two Election Day polling places. • St. Edward’s University will have an Election Day voting location. The Southpark Meadows center, 9600 I-35 front- age road, Ste. 200, Austin, will be a mega center.
Travis County will have nearly 150 voting locations for the Nov. 7 election, which features several state propositions and a county bond. Zooming in Following concern over limited polling locations for university students in last year’s election, Aus- tin’s three main college campuses are all included for 2023.
families, in compliance with federal and state law, is a critical part of ensuring equal access to democracy for all” DYANA LIMON- MERCADO, TRAVIS COUNTY CLERK
COURTESY DYANA LIMON-MERCADO
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