Austin State Hospital ideas continue to percolate

It was only a matter of time before the pending redevelopment of the Austin State Hospital found its way to City Hall. And, according to a couple of posts on the City Council Message Board, that time may have come. Council Member Ora Houston started the discussion on Thursday, with a proposal that the land be used to help the city’s homeless population with transitional housing and services. She wrote, “The Austin State Hospital property has the ability to provide the space for a creative, holistic service delivery model that will relieve the pressure on the current location, provide necessary transitional housing and more importantly respond to the concerns of individuals who live on the streets.” That sentiment was supported by a response from Council Member Leslie Pool, who wrote, “I wonder if we could talk with our State legislative delegation along these same lines: discuss the possibility of reserving some portion of the ASH property to provide transitional housing and associated, needed services, for those who live on the streets, as you suggest.” To be continued, of course.