Early Voting: April 19-27, 2021
Election: May 1, 2021
The City Council of Austin, Texas is voting on Proposition B May, 1 2021. Now is the time to use our voices and come together to combat homelessness. It’s up to us, Austin.
Our campaign urges you to vote NO on Proposition B, here’s why.
What is Prop B?
Proposition B is a prohibition on sitting, lying, and camping and limiting solicitation in public areas. According to Ballotpedia, “A “yes” vote supports making it a criminal offense (Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine) for anyone to sit, lie down, or camp in public areas and prohibiting solicitation of money or other things of value at specific hours and locations.”
The election will be held on May 1, 2021 and needs a majority vote for approval.
Why vote NO
Putting homeless people in jail for being homeless is NOT the solution. Supporting Prop B does not do any good for the homeless community. It criminalizes a lot of actions homeless people have to take in order to survive.
The current situation of homeless people living in public places is an inconvenience for everyone. People going through homelessness don’t have a home and often have to sleep in tents or on the street. Their trash pollutes our city. Some people have negative experiences with homeless people asking them for money or food or other things.
What will Prop B do? Put homeless people away. It will get them off the streets but not into better living conditions. The little belonging they may have will be taken and their freedom will be stripped away. It will make the homeless people disappear, but not solve the homeless problem here in Austin.
Homeless people are not disposable. They are a part of the Austin community just like the rest of us, and they should be treated as such. Prop B does not SOLVE anything.
Alternatives
City Council should be more focused on coming up with real solutions to the homelessness issue here in Austin. Investing time and money into better housing options for the homeless and new programs to help them is what will really make a difference and create a long lasting impact on their lives to bring and keep them out of homelessness.
For example, Mobile Loaves and Fishes just announced that they are planning to expand their Community First! Village, a 51-acre master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing for people going through homelessness. They are planning to add 1,400 new homes.
Other organizations like ECHO, Front Steps, Caritas of Austin, etc. work tirelessly to help the homeless community in Austin through volunteer programs and donations.
These are the kinds of things our City Council should be putting their efforts and money into. Real solutions that will help the homeless community and end homelessness.
What can you do?
Vote. Use your voice to vote NO on Proposition B. Our homeless community is suffering and it’s up to the rest of us to help them. Continue to follow our campaign for more information and resources on how to help the homeless community in Austin, Texas!
Follow us on Social Media!
Twitter: @seu_ch
Instagram: @seu.ch
Written by: Bianca I
Edited by: Jayne R
Tags: Austin, Texas, Homeless, Proposition B, Prop B, Vote