Abbott, Whitmire targeting homelessness in major Texas cities

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(The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott and Houston Mayor John Whitmire are taking action to address homelessness in two major cities in Texas after efforts by other administrations were ineffective or failed.  

In Austin, Abbott launched an operation to make the city's streets safer and cleaner after failed Democratic city council policies haven’t solved a homeless crisis that has only worsened over the years. 

In Houston, Whitmire has launched a major initiative to address homelessness in the state’s largest city, including a new triage facility on Emancipation Ave. 

Both Austin and Houston have been plagued by homelessness for years under Democratic leadership. Encampments have sprung up underneath highway overpasses, in public parks, near schools, courthouses and in downtown areas, creating public safety and public health risks.

In Austin, a voter initiative, Proposition B, overwhelmingly passed in 2021 to end public homeless encampments in the state capital. After the city council didn’t enforce it, the bipartisan citizen group, Save Austin Now, sued, The Center Square reported. Still, years later, public safety threats continue with homeless drug use and other safety concerns causing residents, visitors, students and taxpayers to complain.

Proposition B made it a criminal offense to sit or lie on sidewalks in the downtown area, to camp in public areas, or solicit or aggressively solicit money or other things of value at specific hours and locations in Austin.  The crime is a class C misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $500. State law also bans homeless encampments. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of state and local homeless encampment bans. 

While the Austin City Council failed to enforce Proposition B, it also defunded the Austin Police Department, prompting Abbott and the state legislature to implement a new law to penalize local governments that defund police departments. The city council’s defunding efforts led to long-term APD staffing and recruitment shortages that also paralleled escalating crime in the state capital, The Center Square reported. In response, two years ago, Abbott called in state troopers to assist with crime response and interdiction in Austin.

After ongoing failures by the Democratic-controlled city council, Abbott has now directed state troopers to enforce state law and Proposition B by removing homeless encampments in and around the capital and on state property. 

"Texans should not endure public safety risks from homeless encampments and individuals," Abbott said. “Weapons, needles, and other debris should not litter the streets of our community, and the State of Texas is taking action. I directed state agencies to address this risk and make Austin safer and cleaner for residents and visitors to live, travel, and conduct business.”

The Texas Department of Public Safety began leading the effort last week, in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas State Guard, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 

So far, they’ve removed 48 encampments, more than 3,000 pounds of debris, arrested 24 repeat felony offenders and seized more than 125 grams of narcotics, Abbott said.

Troopers also arrested 10 people with outstanding warrants and 24 repeat felony offenders. Several were identified as armed and dangerous and exhibiting violent tendencies. One was wanted out of state for Aggravated Escape from Custody, DPS said.

In Houston, newly elected Mayor Whitmire is keeping a campaign promise to end street homelessness. On Monday, he announced another part of his End Street Homelessness Initiative, including a new 225-bed housing resource facility to provide “critical wraparound services” for the homeless.

Located at 419 Emancipation Ave., it will “serve as a front door to Houston’s homeless response system,” connecting the homeless to health care, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and permanent housing resources. It's also operating as a triage and transitional resource center, offering immediate safety and critical services including for the severely mentally ill and those suffering from chronic conditions.

Today, we took a big step toward helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness. 419 Emancipation is a facility being transformed into a Living Center offering safety, health care, and housing support. Another step toward ending street homelessness with compassion and action. pic.twitter.com/Lx55DKtHHH

— Houston Mayor's Office (@houmayor) October 20, 2025

Whitmire, a Democrat who served in the Texas legislature for 40 years, has worked with Abbott and other Republicans to prioritize public safety, fulling campaign promises they’ve made.