The Austin city council recently voted to put on its May ballot a vote to reinstate the no camping ban including the no sit/no lie ordinances. Now is the time to contact your mayor and council members particularly those who have supported decriminalizing homelessness, such as Mayor Adler, Kathy Tovo, Ann Kitchen, Greg Casar, Sabino Renteria, and others, we pray.
First call to action is cold weather shelter. Anyone that reads this, our urgent plea is to email our mayor and city council in this urgent time of cold weather. House the Homeless is encouraging to use the Convention Center or other alternatives sites that are already over burdened due to Covid-19 or at capacity.
A second call to action is to not displace unsheltered neighbors from bridges and the four major camp areas without having an immediate plan for alternative shelter/housing.
Finally, advise your mayor and council members that the wording for the May ballot regarding reinstating a camping ban must consider that those with disabilities, the aged, and in fact anyone with no place to go. The no sit/no lie ordinance is absolutely inhumane and unconscionable we must have at least 15 minute respites particularly for those with disabilities and make other provisions.
Federal resolve is insufficient; highly recommend Universal Living Wage formula indexed on the cost of housing wherever the person lives and works.
BENCHES can get our citizens up from the sidewalks and out of our gutters! Dignity & Fairness!!!! By signing, I call for enough benches for all!
Check out Josh Hayes’ amazing documentary and be looking for ways to support a showing in your community or with your organization.
House the Homeless continues to make masks for the most needy in the nation, most recently sending 20 to the Speakers Bureau of the National Coalition for the Homeless and over 100 to Catholic Charities of D.C. for a total of 372 as of 5/12/20. Because these are washable and reusable, they provide 22,320+ uses. If you’ve got the time and you want to help, make some masks.
Richard and Sylvia Troxell are working in North Carolina to make masks for men, women, and children in the Union County Community Shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Pattern can be found at aha.org
Please take a look and download House the Homeless’s year in review for 2020.
Click Here to Download PDF
Board Confirmations/Elections: Co-founder Cecilia Blanford elected as President/Treasurer; Will Hyatt, Chaplain & Vice-President Public Relations; Blythe Plunkett, Secretary. Member-at-Large appointments: Greg Gibson, Kevyn Meagher and JoAnn Koepke. Richard R. Troxell continues to serve as HtH National Education Director (NED).
The Board expresses deep appreciation to P.J. Liles for serving as President, having successfully completed his year of commitment and who will continue with HtH as a volunteer ambassador. Kudos were also expressed to Sylvia Troxell for a wealth of fundraising and support. Sylvia is continuing to serve as an Advisory member. Watch for our Annual Year in Review FMI including details for the Memorial Service hosted by Caritas on Sun., November 15th, which kicks off our annual appeal in support of HtH HUGSS Winter Survival Clothing give away.
Glimmer Austin has granted HtH a $10,000 COVID-19 Emergency Grant stating that “G|A is proud to support House the Homeless’ efforts to help expand and sustain direct services. G|A funding will ensure that their current strategies remain uninterrupted as they address the UNMET COVID-19 needs of the homeless population in 2020.” Thank you Glimmer Austin!
P.J. Liles and Will Hyatt along with a handful of volunteers and donors spent much of the month of March 2020 getting hand-sanitizer and supplies out to the streets and to “Camp Abbott” in Austin, Texas.
Information pulled from the Austin Chronicle 3/19/2020 (read the full article)
Please take a look and download House the Homeless’s year in review for 2019.
Click Here to Download PDF
Before you go, help us make a difference.
Imagine not having a safe place to call home. Every night, thousands of people face that harsh reality. But together, we can change that.
Your donation, no matter how small, can help provide shelter, warmth, and hope to those who need it most. By supporting our mission, you're not just giving someone a roof over their head — you're offering them a chance to rebuild their life.
Please DONATE using links below:
Mail a check to House the Homeless,
P.O. Box 2312, Austin, TX 78768 (no fee)
