Emma Freer
Emma Freer is a general assignment reporter for Austonia, where she covers culture, housing, healthcare and more. She previously worked for Community Impact Newspaper. A native Clevelander, she graduated from Columbia Journalism School in 2017 and the University of St. Andrews in 2016. Email: emma@austonia.com. Twitter: @freer_emma
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(Charlie Harper III/Austonia)
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin estimate there is a 38% chance the COVID-19 pandemic is growing locally, down from an estimated 100% chance yesterday.
What accounts for this 62% overnight drop?
<p>Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said it reflects the relatively low number of COVID-related hospital admissions reported over the last couple of days.</p><p>On Monday, 11 people were admitted to hospitals in the Austin metro, far below the seven-day moving average of 26 at the time. Yesterday, 13 people were, and the moving average had fallen to 19.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="87ee2c192ae9ad831d016c642ebd7d3d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="4ca0a" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYyOTIzNS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MDAwNzIxNX0.nsJIh8CWiaFcS_ORbZIjws0i5tRlWddCYfzSl21RQRw/img.png?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">The seven-day moving average number of daily hospital admissions has declined over the last two days, from 22.3 to 19.1.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(Austin Public Health)</small></p><p>Escott attributed the drop in admissions to increased vigilance among Austinites after he and other local health officials <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-covid-october" target="_blank">sounded the alarm last week</a>.<br/></p><p>"As people respond, as people take more protective actions … we see an impact on transmission," he said on Wednesday. "We see an impact on cases. We see an impact on hospitalizations. That's exactly what we want to happen."</p><p>While updating council members and county commissioners on the local COVID situation yesterday, Escott cited the latest projections from the COVID-19 Modeling Consortium, which estimated there was a 100% chance the pandemic was growing locally. </p><p>But researchers hadn't yet included the latest hospital admissions data in their model, Escott explained. Once they did, it estimated there is a 38% chance the pandemic is growing locally.<br/></p><p>This is "fantastic news," Escott said Wednesday. He also added that the projections are subject to change as people recommit to protective behaviors, such as masking and social distancing, or abandoning them. <br/></p><p>For example, researchers at the consortium <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-school-reopening" target="_blank">projected last month</a> that Austin could reach a Stage 2 level of risk by October. "Unfortunately that was too optimistic, and we missed that mark," Escott said.</p><p><br/></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3577b22f525069b5a48c64dd56d6b5e3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="fbf53" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYyOTE2NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQyNjgyNH0.ZGq99QedSNb36GO8LbI8v7zHUHeQrREh4K0j_qAyEAM/img.png?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(COVID-19 Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin)</small></p><p>Although the projections now suggest around 250 hospital beds will be needed for COVID patients in the metro by Thanksgiving, down from 700 yesterday, Austin isn't out of the woods yet.<br/></p><p>The consortium currently estimates there is a 79% chance the pandemic is growing in the Dallas area and an 88% chance it is in the El Paso area, where hospitals are already at capacity and a countywide curfew is in effect.</p><p>"This is certainly something we have to pay attention to because, as we saw this summer, surges in other jurisdictions across the state often predated surges of our own," Escott told commissioners Tuesday.</p><p>Another concern is a significant increase in the number of new COVID cases reported at long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. </p><p>In the last two weeks, Austin-Travis County facilities reported 40 new cases—or four times the number reported in the previous two-week period. </p><p>Metro hospitals are preparing for a possible surge, and the field hospital at the Austin Convention Center "stands ready to take on additional patients," Escott said Wednesday. </p><p>In the meantime, local health officials stressed the importance of increased vigilance—despite pandemic fatigue—as the holiday season gets underway. </p><p>"We can't all surge at the same time," Escott said.</p><p><strong>More today on COVID:</strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/covid-halloween-austin" target="_self">Austin health leaders issue a Halloween challenge: 'What new traditions can you create?'</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYyOTQ2MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NTUzOTgyOX0.eO_sOP7sE_dluFlcdQbSO8JjWk7-yAKbh_Jht5ZP4m8/img.png?width=980" id="32f8d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ecc6ad8d5f8d625644afbe1fc5402db7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
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(Jordan Vonderhaar)
Half of Austin City Council's 10 seats—Districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10—are up for election this November, and nineteen candidates are competing for a spot on the (virtual) dais.
<p>Elected members will be tasked with many important policies, such as <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-land-use-code-rewrite" target="_blank">the city's land use code</a>, <a href="https://austonia.com/texas-largest-cities-spend-more-on-police-than-anything-else-activists-want-more-of-those-funds-spent-on-the-social-safety-net-instead" target="_blank">police budget cuts</a> and <a href="https://austonia.com/austonia-guide-project-connect" target="_blank">transit planning</a>. Another issue that has made its way onto the "Issues" vertical of many of the candidates' campaign websites? Homelessness.</p><p>In June 2019, Austin City Council rolled back three ordinances that had prohibited sitting, lying and camping in public places and nighttime panhandling. </p><p>Advocates said the move was a crucial step in decriminalizing homelessness. But others—including some of the people on the local ballot—<a href="https://austonia.com/austin-texas-homeless-petition" target="_blank">were outraged</a>. </p><p>The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition conducted its annual point-in-time count, a census of Austin's homeless population, in January and recorded <a href="https://1zdndu3n3nla353ymc1h6x58-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PIT-2020-Three-One-Pagers.Revised-10.21.2020.pdf" target="_blank">a nearly 45% increase</a> in the number of unsheltered residents.</p><p>Then the pandemic arrived, leading shelters to constrict their capacity and the city to open motel rooms in which the city's homeless residents could quarantine. </p><p>Austonia asked the candidates to weigh in on the city's homeless issue ahead of Election Day. </p><p><em>Disclaimer: These submissions are unedited; claims made have not been fact-checked. </em></p>
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District 2
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5OTg0MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1Mzg5NzAyOX0.zuMZLX3ClJIZjJTpMa3pVe9QDwUYtxhuFIeHffGvypU/img.png?width=980" id="f9252" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7c152498a93ba6f33f535b484c33dba6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><p><strong><a href="https://www.davidford2.com/">David Chincanchan</a></strong><strong></strong></p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> Yes. </p><p><em>Why?</em> Our community wants its leaders to end and prevent homelessness. I am fiercely committed to those goals. I supported the repeal because criminalizing our unhoused neighbors is not just morally wrong, it is immensely counterproductive. It creates more barriers to housing and pushes individuals into the margins of our community where they are less able to access critical services. </p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> I support implementing policies and investments that address the root causes of homelessness. Our community must work in unison to prevent and end homelessness by removing barriers to safe, stable and affordable housing. I support deeper investments in permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention services, such as low-barrier rental assistance or emergency direct cash assistance for costs such as medical needs to keep folks housed and prevent displacement that can lead to homelessness.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.vanessaforaustin.com/" target="_blank">Vanessa Fuentes</a></strong><br></p><p>Fuentes did not respond to multiple requests for comment. However, <a href="https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20201006/endorsement-fuentes-leads-our-picks-for-austin-city-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman earlier this month</a>, she agreed with Austin City Council's decision to stop ticketing homeless people for living on the streets but criticized the lack of support in place once the ban was lifted. </p><p><strong><a href="https://caseyramos4d2.com/" target="_blank">Casey Ramos</a></strong></p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> No.</p><p><em>Why? </em>Public camping is a health and safety hazard, especially during a pandemic. There are reasons we have designated areas for camping, like the need for fresh open spaces and various environmental safety issues.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin? </em>Wrap-around services like rapid rehousing, emergency shelter, low-cost rental opportunities, mental health services, drug rehabilitation services and employment opportunities.<br></p><p><strong>Alex Strenger</strong></p><p>Strenger <a href="https://twitter.com/thealexstrenger?lang=en" target="_blank">dropped out of the race</a> and endorsed Ramos. </p>District 4
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5OTg3NS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MjgyMzA2N30.Nu7SHsLfjri6pIP56KHv3rLno4g0tEsidVlGcFb4_Mg/img.png?width=980" id="58f79" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2498dce9127c954663f089bdb2a9f071" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />(Greg Casar, Louis Herrin, Ramesses II Setepenre)
<p><a href="https://www.casarforcouncil.com/"><strong></strong></a><strong><a href="https://www.casarforcouncil.com/" target="_blank">Council Member Greg Casar</a></strong></p><p><em>Did you support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> Yes</p><p><em>Why?</em> We must end homelessness in our city, and we can do that without violating people's human and civil rights. We know it's wrong to throw someone in jail for doing nothing wrong other than simply being homeless. We can end homelessness with housing and services, while also prioritizing public safety for all.</p><p><em>If re-elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> For generations our government has not prioritized shelters, housing and mental health care. These failures at every level of government created modern-day homelessness. It's time for Austin to step up and solve an issue that has built up over too long. We can start by acquiring many of the hotels that are sitting half empty during the pandemic, and we can immediately move hundreds of people off the streets into these hotels as housing.</p><p><strong><a href="http://louisherrin.com/" target="_blank">Louis C. Herrin III</a></strong></p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> NO. </p><p><em>Why?</em> Lifting the camping ban did not help the problem of homeless(ness), only made it less safe for the people working and going downtown.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> We need to set up and work with groups like Haven for Hope and Mobile Loaves and Fishes to help the ones who want help to get out of homeless and work with the state on the ones with mental problems.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RSfor4/" target="_blank">Ramessess II Setepenre</a></strong></p><p>Setepenre did not respond to multiple requests for comment. However, <a href="https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/government/2020/09/23/in-austin-city-councils-district-4-candidates-discuss-addressing-homelessness-and-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in an interview with Community Impact Newspaper last month</a>, he spoke of his own experience with homelessness and said the city needs to address the origins of homelessness, such as substance use and lack of familial support. </p>District 6
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMDAwNi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMjQ4OTUyMH0.SH5-Vqf1gKkgnul7rn7dcxI-sN3Le2OEfZZli-lMWaQ/img.png?width=980" id="a6208" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c95788915ff34edfbb11e7248fbfe3f9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />(Jimmy Flannigan, Mackenzie Kelly, Jennifer Mushtaler)
<p><strong><a href="http://www.jimmyflannigan.com/" target="_blank">Council Member Jimmy Flannigan</a></strong> </p><p><em>Did you support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> Yes.</p><p><em>Why?</em> The complex issue of homelessness has no overnight solution. Austin service providers concur that criminalization creates barriers to accessing necessary services to get folks experiencing homelessness into housing, while also adding costs to the criminal justice system. Lifting the camping ban did not mean it became legal to commit property or other crimes. Council has prioritized investments that build interventions and systems that can provide rapid support earlier in crisis, which also saves money.</p><p><em>If re-elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> Council's goal is making homelessness brief, rare and non-recurring. Historic investments authorized by council in the last two budgets will make great progress toward this goal. My priority is to ensure our community sees measurable, visible progress in housing our unsheltered population. As chair of the public safety committee, convening service providers, advocates, and council committees, my focus is to ensure that allocated funding is spent as effectively as possible to make the biggest impact.</p><p><strong><a href="https://mackenzieforaustin.com/" target="_blank">Mackenzie Kelly</a></strong> </p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> No. </p><p><em>Why?</em> I did not support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the city is not addressing the systemic reasons that cause homelessness by allowing those without homes to camp all across the city. They do not live in sanitary conditions, and they do not have access to services that might lift them out of homelessness. This was a knee-jerk reaction by the city with no solid plan in place to address homelessness as a whole.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin? </em>It is by no means a criminal act to not have a home, but out of homelessness often come crimes of desperation. Our city's leadership should strive to create safe environments for those who are homeless to be lifted out of that situation. I would address mental health needs for the homeless, addiction/rehabilitation programs job training, and encourage public-private partnerships that cultivate compassionate solutions for those experiencing homelessness. </p><p><strong><a href="https://drjenforatx.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Jennifer Mushtaler</a></strong> </p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> No.</p><p><em>Why?</em> I do not support Jimmy Flannigan's vote to lift the camping ban. He did not lay the groundwork for solutions and did not provide for community involvement in this process. The explosion of encampments has impeded the livability and workability of our city, the (Austin) Chamber's ability to recruit corporations and our tourism industry. This is a public health problem. Illnesses like tuberculosis, hepatitis and cholera are real concerns for people experiencing homelessness and the public.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin? </em>I will collaborate with Austin Public Health and our numerous service organizations and industry partners to have a robust and compassionate multi-disciplinary program with personal choice options. I will advocate for changes to building code that will allow for more shelter options within the city. I will advocate to reinstate the public camping ban. I will advocate to fund our law enforcement cadet classes, CIT <a href="https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/Crisis-Intervention-Team-(CIT)-Programs" target="_blank">(Crisis Intervention Team)</a> training and the Austin Police Department.<span></span></p>District 7
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMDAwOC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMDk5NTExOH0.UBosHifNDKKwZJwdqVOcaEFVtP63ZBOopPS9xTDC6tE/img.png?width=980" id="909ee" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e590e1241dd2f926f1f1f588b9dff1c0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />(Leslie Pool, Morgan Witt)
<p><strong><a href="https://www.lesliepoolcampaign.com/" target="_blank">Council Member Leslie Pool</a></strong></p><p><em>Did you support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban? </em>Yes.</p><p><em>Why? </em>My vote to decriminalize homelessness (loosening the no sit/no lie and camping bans) was both a moral decision and a policy decision. I cast my vote with an eye toward ramping up our efforts to assist people experiencing homelessness. I worked with my dais colleagues to provide necessary resources and align our systems with our nonprofit partners whose mission it is to house the homeless and provide other needed services. </p><p><em>If re-elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin? </em>I will continue to monitor our ongoing initiatives to determine if modifications are needed. I led on a workforce development initiative that coordinates encampment cleanup in our parks, greenbelts and creeks. The Council has approved the purchase of two hotels for housing, is actively searching for additional structures to buy, has focused more intently on providing permanent supportive housing and has activated a more organized system of support with ECHO and other community non-profit organizations. </p><p><strong><a href="https://morganforaustin.com/" target="_blank">Morgan Witt</a></strong></p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> Yes.</p><p><em>Why?</em> Homelessness isn't a crime but indicative of the community's ability to support people in their time of need. Criminalizing homelessness doesn't make it go away. It not only makes it more difficult for unhoused folks to integrate back into society but also makes them more vulnerable to becoming victims of crime and violence. On top of that, the prison system is an incredibly expensive way to house and care for those experiencing homelessness.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> </p><p>Now: Free up housing assets (currently used for quarantine) to actually house homeless people. Appoint a director to coordinate between organizations and advocacy groups to quickly connect people with the resources they need. </p><p>Long Term: Prevention—address the systemic issues that make people vulnerable to homelessness when they experience a traumatic financial, physical or mental event and don't have a safety net. I'll address Austin's affordability and livability crisis. </p>District 10
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMDA5Mi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMDMyNTY3MX0.5ECdJ1lxUR9QFSgFZliOMkhjevycQe9Ce4eQS-DFGVE/img.png?width=980" id="6cd50" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2fbafea8ab5384b40bcdaf6d68f1a68a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />(Alison Alter, Ben Easton, Belinda Greene, Pooja Sethi, Robert Thomas, Jennifer Virden)
<p><strong><a href="https://www.alisonalter.com/" target="_blank">Council Member Alison Alter</a></strong></p><p><em>Did you support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban? </em>No.</p><p><em>Why? </em>I voted against the repeal of the camping ban in June 2019 because I didn't believe that the City had planned for the subsequent challenges we would face, such as maintaining the safety and sanitation of public spaces. As a city and a community I believe we should compassionately help our neighbors exit homelessness, and we should do so with a comprehensive strategy that addresses community concerns. I share the frustration with the current situation.</p><p><em>If re-elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin? </em>I am focused on 1) managing the safety and sanitation of public spaces; 2) advancing a comprehensive strategy with defined metrics for our investments and targeted approaches for different populations; and 3) addressing immediate housing, mental health, treatment, and employment opportunities and solutions for those experiencing homelessness. I invite you to learn more about my priorities for addressing homelessness at<a href="https://bit.ly/31ksye0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> https://bit.ly/31ksye0</a>. </p><p><strong><a href="https://www.beneastondistrict10.org/" target="_blank">Ben Easton</a></strong></p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban? </em>NO!</p><p><em>Why? </em>The Council's decision to lift the ban has led to horrifying consequences. Austin is now under siege by thousands of homeless folks, panhandlers, vagrants and con men; the result is pure UGLINESS. Every week this continues, our formerly fair city becomes more unsafe and unattractive. The demagogues in City Hall are jockeying for more power and influence by foisting guilt on law-abiding and tax-paying citizens. The GUILT IS THEIRS, not ours.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin? </em>Create a dozen rehabilitation sanctuaries located AWAY from downtown on city-owned properties. Military-grade tents will house TEMPORARY residents in Spartan, safe, private conditions as they reboot their lives. The city should NOT go into the housing industry or the mental health industry. This helping hand from taxpayers will be supplemented by private charities. Some can be hired, FULL TIME, in clean-up patrols. All other homeless encampments will be removed, PERMANENTLY! </p><p><strong><a href="https://greene4council.com/" target="_blank">Belinda Greene</a></strong> </p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban? </em>No.</p><p><em>Why? </em>I do not support the decision to lift the camping ban. Our homeless problem has gotten worse since the camping ban was removed. Their living conditions are unsafe and unhealthy. </p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> We must first identify and temporarily house our most vulnerable - women, minors and veterans. Give them an opportunity to get on their feet. Provide occupational training and medical assistance where needed. Many of these citizens qualify for funds that already exist but because they do not have an address, they cannot access them. We should be researching and implementing programs that do work such as Mobile Loaves and Fishes' Community First! program. We need transparency in this program to determine what the success / failure is of the program and if what we are currently spending on homeless issues is the most effective use of those funds. </p><p><strong><a href="https://poojaforaustin.com/" target="_blank">Pooja Sethi</a></strong> </p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?</em> Yes. </p><p><em>Why?</em> Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to listen to an appeal that prohibited criminalizing the homeless if the city is not providing enough beds. Per the City of Austin Homeslessness Dashboard, we only have 2,000 beds, and in the last PIT Count we had more homeless people than beds. As an attorney, I understand we need more than a "no" vote; rather, we must develop aggressive, real solutions to address this crisis.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> First, we need better data on the homeless and people on the brink of homelessness. We also need to work with our communities, advocates and first responders to better specify camping restrictions. Next, we need more resources for rapid rehousing and eviction diversion plans. Third, we need to partner with local organizations like TOOF and Camp Esperanza to get more resources, specifically mental health resources, directly to the homeless. Finally, we need more affordable housing.</p><p><strong><a href="https://robertatx.com/platform/" target="_blank">Robert Thomas</a></strong></p><p><em>Do you support the City Council's June 2019 decision to lift the camping ban? </em>No. </p><p><em>Why? </em>Alison Alter voted to remove the anti-panhandling and anti-loitering ordinances. This created instant chaos. She argued for removing the camping ban all over the city, except for certain downtown locations. Removing all three of these ordinances created this city-wide public health crisis, and is inhumane to everyone, including the homeless. City Council was grossly negligent, and breached their fiduciary duty to Austinites. </p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> Reinstate all three bans immediately. Implement the Haven for Hope homeless solutions model immediately. Haven for Hope partners with over 180 local, state and federal partners to address the root causes of homelessness by offering programming tailored to individual needs. The approach is person-centered, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented. They meet individuals where they are and support them as they move toward self-sufficiency. Austin was given this same detailed model, but instead abdicated its duties. </p><p><strong>Noel Tristan</strong></p><p>Tristan did not respond to multiple requests for comment. </p><p><strong><a href="https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Virden</a></strong> </p><p>Do you support the City Council's October 2019 decision to lift the camping ban?<em> No.</em></p><p><em>Why?</em> What Alter doesn't say is that she voted IN FAVOR of lifting the sit/lie & panhandling ordinances, even though she voted against lifting the public camping ban – in effect, saying "don't blame me." It's the interplay of all 3 that has created this crisis. We need the right policy and the will to enforce it, as other cities like San Antonio do, and stop allowing Austin to be this magnet for the homeless.</p><p><em>If elected, what are your priorities when it comes to addressing homelessness in Austin?</em> Reinstate the camping ban to address our homeless population crisis – multi-pronged approach including tiered levels of housing; mental health services; addiction services. We've an adequate $62 million budget to get this under control. That's ~$30,000 per homeless person. Austin is a compassionate community, and we'll do what is right, but it's unacceptable to allow a crisis comprised of ~2,200 people to disproportionately degrade the quality of life for one million of the rest of us.</p>From Your Site Articles
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(Emma Freer/Austonia)
With three more full days of voting left this election, Travis County has surpassed its November 2016 turnout.
<p>As of midday on Wednesday, 486,206 votes had been cast during the early voting period and by mail compared to a total of 477,588 votes in the last presidential election. </p><p>"We can't emphasize enough how proud we are of Travis County voters for coming out in huge numbers during this early voting period," the Travis County Clerk's office tweeted.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="de029360d90624d412bc60c6dc6351bd" id="12a5d"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1321499403794980867"><div style="margin:1em 0">The moment you’ve been waiting for...Travis County has surpassed its Nov ‘16 total vote turnout!
486,206 votes ha… https://t.co/XrDtYfQDE4</div> — Travis County Clerk (@Travis County Clerk)<a href="https://twitter.com/TravisCoClerk/statuses/1321499403794980867">1603904984.0</a></blockquote></div><p>During the last presidential election, nearly 80% of Travis County voters cast their ballots early. Of the 477,588 total votes, only 103,536 were cast on Election Day.<br/></p><p>This trend is not limited to Travis County. Nearby <a href="https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/hays-and-williamson-counties-surpass-total-votes-cast-in-2016/" target="_blank">Hays and Williamson counties</a> surpassed their 2016 numbers earlier this week, and turnout is up statewide—<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/23/us-2020-election-highest-rate-voter-turnout" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">and across the country</a>—despite the ongoing pandemic. </p><p>As of Tuesday, more than 8.1 million people—or around 48% of registered voters—had cast their ballots early in Texas. This surpasses turnout during the first two weeks of early voting in both 2016, when nearly 44% of registered voters had cast their ballots, and 2012, when less than 37% had, <a href="https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/texas-early-voting-numbers/?_ga=2.245634116.1199920528.1603909299-1550764229.1583782951&_gac=1.241312054.1602087113.EAIaIQobChMIyMPayO-i7AIV6evjBx1VjQrNEAAYASAAEgJt4fD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">according to the Texas Tribune</a>. </p><p>Gov. Greg Abbott announced over the summer that the early voting period would be extended by six days due to the pandemic. </p><p>Texas is 819,931 votes away from surpassing the statewide turnout in the 2016 general election. It has already exceeded the 2012 turnout by 155,445 votes, according to the Texas Secretary of State's office. </p><p>The early voting period ends on Friday, Oct. 30. Registered voters will be able to cast their ballots so long as they are in line by 7 p.m. A list of early voting polling locations can be found <a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-early-voting-2020" target="_self">here</a>. </p><p>The following six polling locations will be open until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Ben Hur Shrine Centerr</li><li>Millennium Youth Complex</li><li>PfISD Rock Gym</li><li>South Park Meadows, Suite 400</li><li>South Park Meadows, Suite 500</li><li>Austin Central Library</li></ul><p>Residents can find wait time estimates for each location <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/wait-time-map.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, whether they are registered to vote <a href="https://www.votetravis.com/vexpress/display.do" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, voter identification requirements in Texas <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/new-voter-id-requirements-for-texas-voters.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, their personal ballot <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/current-election/what-s-on-the-ballot.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> and some races to watch <a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-early-voting-2020" target="_self">here</a>.</p><p>Many local businesses are also encouraging voting by offering specials—<a href="https://austonia.com/early-voting-rewards/paprika-atx-one-free-carnitas-taco" target="_self">from a free slice of pizza to a discounted pint</a>—to those who bring in their "I voted" or "Yo voté" sticker.</p><p><em>This story has been updated to clarify the total number of votes cast in the 2016 presidential election.</em><br/></p><p><strong>More on voting:</strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/early-voting-rewards" target="_self">5 places that reward you for voting early this year</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUyMTU4My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwODM2MjA3MH0.Y64oDi99tUDm56EaYc_TYpmREdguN1GgzRRTPUArH2Y/img.jpg?width=980" id="17193" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a5013614d22fb93bbbd3d69b001b972a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />5 places that reward you for voting early this year
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(Emma Freer)
With three more days left to vote and amid concerns about misinformation, local leaders convened Wednesday to encourage Austinites to support Proposition A, which would raise the city's property tax rate to help pay for Project Connect, a $7.1 billion plan to overhaul public transportation.
<p>Mayor Steve Adler touted the benefits of Project Connect, which he said will create new jobs, provide environmental benefits, and make Austin a safer and more equitable city. He also mentioned the broad coalition of supporters, which includes business and real estate groups as well as environmental and social justice advocates. </p><p>"We must pass Proposition A so that we are not stuck in traffic, stuck in our homes and stuck in the past," he said. </p><p>Adler also cited the demographic projection that two million people will move to the metro in the next 20 years.</p><p>"If we don't do a better job of moving people around our city … then we're in trouble," he said. </p><p>Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, who represents District 2 on City Council, emphasized Prop A's progressive bona fides. </p><p>"It embodies our desire to be about 'we' and not 'me,'" she said.</p><p>Garza also criticized <a href="https://austonia.com/project-connect-austin-election" target="_blank">opponents of Proposition A</a>, which include the political action committee Our Mobility Our Future and the nonprofit Voices of Austin.</p><p>"The opposition offers no solutions," she said, and has taken up "Republican tactics of disinformation."</p><p>Both groups claim that Proposition A will raise property taxes by around 25%. In fact, if approved, it will raise the city's property tax rate <a href="https://austonia.com/project-connect-taxes" target="_blank">by about 20%</a>. However, because city property owners also pay taxes to Austin ISD, Austin Community College, Central Health and Travis County, the overall increase in their property tax bill will be around 4%. </p><p>"I am concerned about the lies circulating this election," Adler said. "I am concerned when people might be making decisions based on signs about what this costs that are six times higher than what this will cost." </p><p>Chas Moore, the founder and executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition, also spoke in support of the proposed tax rate increase. </p><p>"Prop A is our chance to put our money where our mouth is," he said. "It's a direct investment in the quality of the life of Black people, of brown people, for everyone who's been marching because of their skin color or their bank account or what part of town they live in."</p><p>Adler pointed to the historic <a href="https://austonia.com/project-connect-displacement" target="_blank">$300 million fund for anti-displacement initiatives</a> included in the Project Connect budget.</p><p>"This is the project that is required to achieve mobility equity in our city," he said.</p><p>The group also addressed some of the criticisms leveled against Project Connect, including the financial hardships caused by the pandemic.</p><p>Garza said now is the time for this election given record-breaking turnout. "Why would we want to wait?" she asked.</p><p>Finally, Adler raised concerns about the role of "secret money" in the election. </p><p>As a PAC, Our Mobility Our Future is required to disclose its funders, who include car dealers, Republicans and long-time opponents of transit investment. </p><p>Voices of Austin, however, is a nonprofit and is not beholden to the same standards. Executive Director Peck Young has told Austonia that its funding comes from locals and that the group is unaffiliated with police unions or the Koch brothers. But there are no public records to verify his claims.</p><p>"I think when people are putting up dollars to influence an election, they ought to stand up and say who they are so that people can understand who it is who is sponsoring the message," Adler said. </p><p>Early voting ends on Friday, Oct. 30. Travis County residents can find early voting polling places <a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-early-voting-2020" target="_blank">here</a>, where they are registered to vote <a href="https://www.votetravis.com/vexpress/display.do" target="_blank">here</a>, voter identification requirements in Texas <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/new-voter-id-requirements-for-texas-voters.html" target="_blank">here</a> and view their personal ballots <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/current-election/what-s-on-the-ballot.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. </p><p><strong>More on Prop A: </strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/project-connect-displacement" target="_self">Project Connect includes a historic anti-displacement fund. Is $300 million enough?</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUwODQwOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNzU1ODk5MX0.tOMLWOZRwP05-mPNBDEAkz4j_UuGqMw-CrFarbgKIbE/img.jpg?width=980" id="9c564" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a6d8f9ade016fe7656d06e1eb2c2665f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Project Connect includes a historic anti-displacement fund. Is $300 million enough?(Emma Freer/Austonia)
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(Charlie L. Harper III/Austonia)
After sounding the alarm last week that the pandemic was growing in Austin, local health officials said Tuesday there are signs of a possible plateau. But caseload increases across the state suggest another surge is on the horizon, and researchers at the University of Texas at Austin estimates that there is a 100% chance the pandemic is growing locally.
<p>"Right now, the projections for Thanksgiving are bleak, but it's not too late to turn that around," Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said. "And I'll tell you that if we experience a surge during Thanksgiving, that surge will not be over by Christmas." </p><p>Positively, the seven-day moving average of daily new confirmed cases in Travis County is 86, as of Monday evening, down from 93 a week ago. Similarly, the seven-day moving average of daily new hospital admissions is 21, down from more than 23 last Wednesday, and only 11 new admissions were reported on Monday.</p><p>Escott said this is "not a clear downward direction yet" but expressed hope for further decline.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bc6fa284a8f96dbf4b54883a60370347" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="c2193" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMTg1Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMTA3NjQ5OH0.foJmPGmSS1oLJ8deQ_09zSianDfBopz984frpDFmlkg/img.png?width=980"/>
</p><p>However, there are other indicators that remain concerning.<br/></p><p>The COVID-19 Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin project the Austin metro will "break into Stage 4 territory of risk as early as Nov. 4," Escott said.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a984ab88d3bf0ad523397d56a38768b6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="671e4" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMTc2NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMDEwMzg5OH0.zCmj7IltycatoFf8IyPDkyKZXWzYTMDzGa-5pJM288A/img.png?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(COVID-19 Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin)</small></p><p>Currently, the Austin area is at <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-covid-stage-3" target="_blank">a Stage 3 level of risk</a>, according to Austin Public Health's risk-based guidelines. The main factor in determining risk is the moving average number of daily COVID-related hospital admissions. At Stage 4—which the metro was in between late June and late July—the daily hospital admissions would total 70 or more.<br/></p><p>Escott emphasized that Austinites can reverse this trajectory by redoubling their protective actions: masking, social distancing and washing their hands. But he expressed concern about the consortium's models for different large cities across Texas—and especially El Paso, where <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/10/26/927866489/el-paso-judge-issues-2-week-curfew-to-stem-surge-of-covid-19-cases" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hospitals are at capacity</a> and a countywide curfew is in effect. </p><p>"This is certainly something we have to pay attention to because, as we saw this summer, surges in other jurisdictions across the state often predated surges of our own," he said. </p><p>Another concern is a significant increase in the number of new COVID cases reported at long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.</p><p>In the last two weeks, Austin-Travis County facilities have reported 40 new cases, four times the number reported in the previous two-week period. </p><p>Compounding this risk is a shortage of personal protective equipment.</p><p>The Texas Public Interest Research Group, a left-of-center advocacy group, released a report on Tuesday that found more than 10% of nursing homes across the state have no N95 masks. </p><p>"It's unconscionable that Texas is dealing with severe PPE shortages at this point in the pandemic," TexPIRG State Director Bay Scoggin said at a press conference on Tuesday.</p>
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Austin ISD will offer face-to-face, on-campus learning to all students whose families choose to take advantage of it starting on Monday, Nov. 2, in compliance with the Texas Education Agency's guidelines.
<p>To prepare, the district has ordered plexiglass dividers and will install them at all campuses next week, AISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde said at a board meeting on Monday. It is also working to access a supply of <a href="https://austonia.com/rapid-covid-test" target="_blank">rapid tests</a>.</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are now at the front of the line for the rapid COVID-19 tests and are working on having this possibly on hand next week.<br/><br/>The rapid testing is 97 percent accurate and the district would get a supply each month.<br/>— Austin ISD (@AustinISD) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustinISD/status/1320874955211476992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div><p>Despite these preparations, Elizalde said she does not expect a mass return of students to campus.<br/></p><p>"I do not believe that on Nov. 2 we will be anywhere near 100% of students reporting to campus," she said.</p><p>As of Thursday, 36% of elementary students, 12% of middle school students and 4% of high school students are attending in-person class. Although in-person attendance among elementary students has nearly doubled since mid-October, attendance among middle and high school students has remained relatively flat.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fad0a3a30d9ec6e66e0bc7a1fe241e8e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="27561" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYwMTIxMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTIwMDAyNX0._8DslF33i5NezTN5tkq086DdihJJgXt25fzgteMzNqY/img.jpg?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(Austin ISD)</small></p><p><strong>Funding concerns</strong><br/></p><p>This is likely to change, however, because the TEA guidelines also stipulate that middle and high school students must offer face-to-face instruction—"making it necessary for students to transition between class periods," <a href="https://www.austinisd.org/openforlearning/news/nov2-faqs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">according to the district's website</a>—as of Nov. 2 to receive state funding. </p><p>This compounds the district's financial woes.</p><p>Chief Business Officer Larry Throm told the board <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-isd-enrollment" target="_self">on Sept. 28</a> that an enrollment drop could lead to a state funding shortfall as great as $51.4 million and require layoffs of as many as 232 teachers, among other cost-cutting measures. </p><p>Although enrollment numbers improved slightly from late September to mid-October, it remains around 5,000 students shy of its enrollment of 80,621 students last year. </p><p>Elizalde has attributed the drop to virtual learning and emphasized that this trend is not unique to AISD.</p><p><strong>Teacher accommodations</strong> </p><p>Since AISD reopened its campuses on Sept. 8, the district has reported 58 confirmed COVID cases. Of those cases, 34 were among employees, 18 among students and six were not attributed. </p><p>At the board meeting, Elizalde also addressed concerns about COVID-era accommodations provided to staff. </p><p>As of Monday, AISD has granted accommodations to 1,201 staff members. Of those, 756 are teachers.</p><p>Elizalde <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-isd-enrollment-2648193236" target="_self">said earlier this month</a> that AISD has granted accommodations to more teachers than either Dallas ISD or Houston ISD, both of which are significantly larger. </p><p>These accommodations expire on Dec. 31, Elizalde said, adding that she will share information about the number of accommodation requests for the spring term on Nov. 9. </p><p>Education Austin, a union that represents 3,000 district employees and has encouraged its members to pledge not to attend in-person classes, took credit for this in a tweet on Tuesday.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2a58f3c993f8eecf91c465ee3b7d75c5" id="bf047"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1321122180403499015"><div style="margin:1em 0">After public pressure, the district has now committed to keeping all approved accommodations in place through the e… https://t.co/SVOHtbdcKr</div> — Education Austin (@Education Austin)<a href="https://twitter.com/EdAustin_TX/statuses/1321122180403499015">1603815047.0</a></blockquote></div>
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(Emma Freer)
The Texas Army National Guard dispatched troops to the state Capitol in June amid protests over the death of George Floyd.
The Texas Army National Guard said Monday that it had been ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott to dispatch 1,000 troops to five major cities across the state, including Austin, in connection with the election.
<p>Troops could be deployed to Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio as soon as this weekend, <a href="https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/politics/article/Texas-Guard-Abbott-to-order-1-000-troops-to-15676005.php" target="_blank">the San Antonio Express News reported</a>.</p><p>"The Texas Military Department was activated to provide additional support to the Department of Public Safety in the summer of 2020," Maj. Gen. Tracy R. Norris, the Adjutant General of Texas, said in a statement emailed to Austonia. "Texas Service Members continue to support DPS in this capacity, guarding historical landmarks such as the Alamo and the State Capitol. To be clear, there has been no request nor any plan to provide any type of support at any polling location in Texas."</p><p>Austin Mayor Steve Adler was not immediately available for comment. </p><p>Local police and city leaders <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-protest-election-week" target="_self">said earlier this month</a> that they are preparing for November protests.<br/></p><p>"The Austin Police Department will plan and prepare for any large protest or civil unrest events related to the upcoming elections," spokesperson Tara Long said in an email to Austonia. "The goal of such preparations is to ensure the safety of the community, while protecting the rights of people to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights." </p><p>Austinites marched through the city on the day after the November 2016 election to protest Donald Trump's victory in spite of the fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote. And tens of thousands descended on downtown Austin in January 2017, on the day after Trump's inauguration, in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington. </p><p>More recently, Austinites have protested police violence and the death of George Floyd. Although most of the protests have been peaceful, one in July ended in the shooting death of <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-protests-garrett-foster" target="_self">armed demonstrator Garrett Foster</a>. </p><p>Some attendees at a memorial for Foster showed up heavily armed, including members of the Proud Boys militia, a right-wing extremist group. </p><p>Texas Guard members were deployed to the state Capitol, as well as other locations, during these protests. </p><p>More on Election Day:</p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/austin-protest-election-week" target="_self">After a summer of tension and protest, Austin braces for election-week unrest</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUwNzk5NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTc3NDY4OH0.8rP6yoBk8LNhm3XPgxxObyB41BOui_21IloCwCgO-ao/img.jpg?width=980" id="e0e16" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1cdd4d2a30beeddd8135678ca4ab5e4c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />After a summer of tension and protest, Austin braces for election-week unrest(Shutterstock)
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(Pexels)
The Travis Central Appraisal District has identified a new market data source that will allow it to reappraise residential properties in 2021 after a legal dispute with the Austin Board of Realtors prevented the district from doing so this year.
<p>The TCAD board unanimously approved a new contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation and TransUnion, which includes access to a new market data report.</p><p>"Given the information, we're optimistic that we'll be able to recalibrate our appraisal models for 2021," TCAD Chief Appraiser Marya Crigler said during a board meeting on Friday.</p><p><strong>A hunt for data </strong><br/></p><p>Texas is one of 12 non-disclosure states in the U.S., which means real estate sales prices and other market data are not publicly available. </p><p>As a result, TCAD had previously relied on home-sales price data provided through third-party vendors. In 2018, the district signed a contract with CoreLogic, which had agreed to sell access to market data collected by the Austin Board of Realtors. </p><p>Last year, however, ABoR sent a cease-and-desist letter to TCAD, arguing that its market data was proprietary and preventing the district from accessing it further. </p><p>Although appraisal districts across Texas rely on other sources of data, such as sales questionnaires and title company inquiries, Crigler said TCAD was not able to gather enough information to recalibrate its models accurately without the ABoR data. </p><p>The district was able to access, on average, 95% of sales data between 2012 and 2019, according to data Crigler shared with the board. But in 2020 it could only access 15%.</p><p>In February, Crigler announced TCAD would not re-appraise residential properties in 2020 because it didn't have adequate market data to do so accurately and legally.<br/></p><p>This was a big deal in a hot market. City budget documents show the median appraised home value increased more than 6% in 2019, and representatives from eight Travis County School districts said the decision would have <a href="https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/housing-real-estate/2020/02/19/fight-over-home-sales-market-data-means-travis-county-appraisals-will-not-change-this-year-area-schools-may-suffer/" target="_blank">negative effects on school funding</a>, which is contingent upon property tax revenue. ABoR <a href="https://www.abor.com/tcad-update-how-abor-is-taking-action/" target="_blank">disputed this claim</a>. </p><p><strong>A new solution </strong><br/></p><p>Since then, Crigler told board members she has reached out to property appraisers "from Pennsylvania to California and all parts in between"—as well as some in Canada, the European Union and Asia—to ask about possible solutions.<br/></p><p>An assessor's office in Cook County, Illinois, turned Crigler on to a new product from the Carahsoft Technology Corporation and TransUnion. Like the ABoR data, their market data report is proprietary.</p><p>After piloting a test of sample data to verify its accuracy over the summer, Crigler recommended that the TCAD board approve a contract with Carahsoft for the report. </p><p>"We feel confident that it is good market data that they are providing to us," she said. </p><p>The board voted unanimously to do so.</p><p>Because the state of Texas has pre-negotiated a contract with Carahsoft that includes this new product, Travis County will be able to purchase the product through the state. </p><p>The initial report costs $201,788 and TCAD estimates that subsequent quarterly reports will cost around $25,000 apiece.</p><p>This is significantly more expensive than the CoreLogic contract that TCAD had previously relied on, which Crigler said was around $25,000 annually.</p><p>But Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant, who is on the TCAD board, reasoned that the Carahsoft report is "a better product—and it's not a product that will get yanked from us." </p><p>Travis County homeowners can expect to receive their 2021 appraisal notices around April. </p>
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