In Austin, Texas a few weeks back, the City Council approved some proposals that seemed

like they would have a ton of support.

Seeing in favor of urgently passing item 31 and 32.

At least if the constituents calling into the virtual meeting were any indication.

Here the speaking favor of item 31 and 32.

Please vote in favor of 31 and 32.

Urging the City Council to vote in favor of item 31 and 32.

Let's go ahead and see.

Item 31 and 32 were big ticket projects.

Each represented the purchase of a hotel that the City would convert into housing for people experiencing homelessness in Austin.

Not a shelter, permanent long-term housing.

No one should be homeless in a justice site.

I'm obviously in favor of using these hotels as housing.

Voting in favor of both of these items today confirms your commitment to humanely and sustainably ending the homelessness crisis we face.

The Council vote to approve one hotel was unanimous.

unanimous on the dias those five items passed.

They approved a second one a week later.

Austin City Council adding another hotel to house the homeless in Austin.

But this initiative in Austin was about more than the buildings.

People who live in them will have access to city services aimed at those experiencing chronic homelessness.

Those services will be paid for in part by funding diverted from the City's police department.

It's one of the most specific examples we have of a major American city rethinking the money it spends on law enforcement.

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