City of Austin District 7 residents and businesses are in opposition of a proposed purchase of Texas Bungalows Hotel and Suites located at 13311 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78727 for Homeless housing.  It is sensible and necessary that the City of Austin should consider homeless housing where the individuals have ready opportunities for employment, case management, medical and mental health treatment, and access to transportation.  The proposed location does not offer these benefits and is also in direct conflict with many North Austin residents and local businesses.  Texas Bungalows Hotel and Suites is in the core of an established family neighborhood with (5) pre-k, elementary and middle schools located in close proximity: Little Life Preschool, Chaparral Star Academy, One World Montessori, Parmer Lane Elementary School, Westview Middle School.  Also in close proximity are Premier High School, Baylor Executive MBA Program, Texas Institute of Sign Language.  Also, Connally High School and Bilingual Early Learning Academy are in close proximity to the proposed location.  

North Austin residents and businesses have a strong desire to help those experiencing homelessness and have already been doing so for several years.   Mayor Adler has touted a desire to engage the communities, to listen to their input and concerns, but failed to provide adequate notice to the community residents and businesses of this proposal to allow them to give informed input before this rushed vote.

We as a community would have liked some answers from the city to the questions below:

1)  What consideration was given to its proximity to residential neighborhoods and school zones?

2)  What safety measures are undertaken given the proximity to residential areas and school zones?

3)  Has APD been asked for an analysis of whether they believe this is a good location? What security measures will be in place?

4)  Will the site be open to anyone at all hours of day and night?

5)  Has a protocol been created for neighbors' complaints and concerns about its operation to be promptly addressed?  

6)  What consideration was given to the lack of access to public transportation or services outside of what will be provided by Integral Care inside the confinement of this single building or to lack of suitable outdoor areas for the proposed clients?

7)  Why were the residents of District 7 not providing the same deference as District 6 in delaying the vote until their concerns could be heard? After all, the location makes even less sense than Candlewood Suites and our concerns are almost identical.

8)  Why is the City of Austin considering paying as much as $6.7 million for a property that owner recently successfully argued with TCAD had a market value of only $2.1 million?

9)  What consideration was given to alternative locations or methods for more suitable humane housing for chronically homeless clients? Wouldn’t the funds be better spent increasing grant funding to organizations with more proven track records, such as and Community First Village and The Other Ones Foundation who can coordinate with Integral Care to expand services to well more than 60 clients?

The complete lack of transparency combined with the speed of approval of this proposed purchase has led to the public reservations that the City did not perform enough due diligence and economic impact studies to ensure that this is a proper location. 

The residents and businesses of District 7 hereby demand that the city delay further action on this matter until such time as the Council has conducted open discussions with us through virtual town halls to thoroughly vet the decision process and address our concerns.