Stories by Andrew Weber, KUT
Austin's homeless population remained steady during pandemic, survey shows
Austin’s homeless population has remained steady since last year, according to the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition’s annual count. All told, this year’s count found 3,160 people were experiencing homelessness in Austin, ECHO says. The agency says 2,238 people were unsheltered,…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 24, 2021
Austin to loosen Covid vaccine, distancing rules for live music and events
Austin’s live music and arts scenes have been hurting in the pandemic. But as more and more Central Texans get vaccinated and Covid-related hospitalizations wane, the city known for live music is priming itself for a return to relative normalcy. As part…
Music & Entertainment • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 20, 2021
City leaders, Austin police say arrests will be a 'last resort' as enforcement of homelessness ordinances resumes
It’s illegal – once again – for people experiencing homelessness to set up encampments throughout most of the city. Sitting or lying down in some stretches of Austin and panhandling at night are also against the law after voters this month…
Public Safety • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 12, 2021
Austin won't make arrests during first phase of reinstating rules related to homelessness
After voters passed Proposition B on May 1, Austin is reinstating rules that ban homeless encampments on public land, prohibit sitting or lying down in parts of the city, and place a nighttime curfew on panhandling. While those rules go…
Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 11, 2021
Austin voters approve reinstating bans on camping, resting and panhandling
Lee esta historia en español. Austin has voted to reinstate criminal penalties for behavior related to homelessness. With its passage, Proposition B will restore the city’s previous ban on public encampments, prohibition of resting in certain areas and limitations on…
Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 3, 2021
Austin's village of tiny homes for formerly homeless folks to triple in size
The nonprofit that runs Austin’s Community First Village has acquired land and plans to build out more tiny homes to house Austinites transitioning out of homelessness. The far East Austin development of tiny homes and trailers, managed by Mobile Loaves…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 15, 2021
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Thousands still waiting for vaccine appointments after Austin Public Health scheduling snafu
People trying to sign up for their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine Monday night faced hourslong delays and were even booted from the queue to get an appointment through Austin Public Health’s site. The glitches were so bad, the…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 17, 2021
Texas is lifting its mask mandate and Covid restrictions on businesses. Here's what that means.
Lee esta historia en español. Texas is reopening 100 percent, ending the statewide mask mandate and lifting Covid-related restrictions on businesses. Here’s a rundown of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order and what it means for local officials, schools and businesses. What…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 10, 2021
City Council apologizes for Austin's systemic racism, vows to invest in a Black embassy
Austin City Council has formally apologized for its role in perpetuating racist policies that contributed to historical equity, health and wealth gaps that persist for Black Austinites. A resolution, which passed unanimously Thursday, directs the city to quantify the impact…
City Council • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 5, 2021
'It is now time to open Texas 100 percent,' Gov. Greg Abbott says
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he’s lifting statewide executive orders that limit occupancy for businesses and require Texans to wear masks in public spaces. “Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100 percent,” Abbott said.…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 3, 2021
These volunteers didn't wait around to get homeless Austinites into hotels during the historic freeze
Last Wednesday, Patricia Clark was in a hotel room in North Austin watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” She was bored. Just days earlier, she was outside in the 9-degree weather. The 48-year-old has been homeless on and off for…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 1, 2021
Austin buys one hotel to convert into housing for homeless – and puts off purchasing another.
After hours of debate, the Austin City Council OK’d one purchase of a hotel to ultimately house Austinites experiencing homelessness, while delaying the purchase of another until next week. The two hotels – one in North Austin’s District 7 and…
