CityUp focuses on homelessness

More than 60 members of city of Austin staff and leaders in the local tech community are moving forward with ideas on how to use high-speed data and smart technology to solve civic challenges relating to homelessness, removing public safety hazards and improving access to city services. The partnership between the city and the Austin CityUp nonprofit held its second monthly session on Tuesday at the former Faulk Central Library, which is now the home of the city’s Innovation Office. There, teams formed around 14 projects that each look at solving a specific problem area identified in a May kickoff session. Highlights included using blockchain to store personal documents for people experiencing homelessness, preparing Austin’s residents and businesses to take full advantage of 5G wireless platforms, and developing kiosks that deliver free, real-time, city information to multiple audiences, including people with vision impairment, people with mobility issues, and people who do not have smartphones or home internet access. Projects will be vetted by experts for feasibility, availability of resources, and potential impact, which could lead to eventual funding for pilot program implementation.