Finally Breaking The Cycle Of Bad Outcomes

Austin, Texas - As the Holiday season arrives upon us, we haven't overlooked that the summer of 2019 in Austin will be a summer to long remember. It was a season of fierce reckoning captivating every citizen in the city as mouths began to drop when the 'Curtain of Oz' fell to reveal that neither Austin City Council nor the city's non-profit human services had the slightest bit of governance, oversight, and accountability over Austin's homeless humanitarian crisis. Even to the extent that regardless of all the years of discussion, planning, and most importantly the misappropriated funding, Texas Governor Greg Abbott had to intervene demonstrating the brick wall where Austin currently is.

Earlier this year, the City of Austin's ordinances pertaining to the homeless mirrored a national debate relating to Martin v. City of Boise of the same nature. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals deemed such City ordinances unconstitutional. Also earlier this year and based upon the case law in Martin v. City of Boise, the City of Austin, Austin Police Department, and other agencies received a 'Cease and Desist' in relationship to the City's unconstitutional ordinances.

When the Mayor and City Council abolished the no sitting, no lying down, and panhandling ordinances in June with regards to the homeless, the vivid understanding of maleficence suddenly became a harsh and unhidden reality. The ugliness that had been done to our homeless population for so long became painfully apparent.

As the result of our overly intense summer, Integral Care, Front Steps, and Ending Community Homeless Coalition have been recognized as front-runners who were adversaries behind driving an extremely powerful and emotional time in Austin's history. When a deep divide conquered the City, and more importantly, City Hall. In addition, Pop Singer Ellie Goulding announced that she almost canceled preforming at the Super Bowl Half-Time Show as the result of her fan base demonstrating concerns over the Salvation Army. Maybe it is yet to be recognized that very few problems are solved by throwing money at it. Further, and like wise, maybe it is yet to be realized that 'Boards of Directors' might consider some house cleaning.

In modern thought, it has become apparent that Austin's non-profit homeless services has corporatized homelessness to the degree of barnyard livestock. An undignified place where kindness and resources must be pleaded for. A repetitive system design to keep individuals returning as so administrations can make a comfortable paycheck. If services were successful, they would become obsolete, not expand. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has invested Millions into building Permanent Supportive Housing in Austin, Texas. Till now, this money has been utilized for the ' Revolving Door' of services instead of the funding's intended purpose. Much gained by organizations yet very, very little invested into the community. Using a ten year measuring point, to date, Austin has built 50 Permanent Supportive Housing units with those Millions. Puzzled yet?

Those engaging in Philanthropy, Holiday Community Engagement, and Donors alike should take this valuable moment to consider where your Gift of Love & Humanity could have the most impact for those in need. Community Groups, Faith Based Groups, and churches often provide the most direct impact when it comes to providing for our community's most vulnerable during the holiday season. One may consider seeking out those groups and communities known to be exceptional neighbors as a conduit in sharing your Holiday Spirit.