(Texas Scorecard) – Residents in the Four Points area of Austin are concerned over a new homeless encampment that has formed at the site of a vacant restaurant and has grown over the past few months.
Four Points News reported last week that the new encampment started earlier this summer at 7409 RM 620, a site previously occupied by the restaurant Taco Cabana, followed by Las Palapas, which closed in July of 2023.
“It started as one abandoned truck, then another abandoned truck. There was severe overgrowth, and trash left over from the previous tenants,” said Stephanie Kincheloe of Four Points’ Villa Montana.
With cars coming and going into the parking lot and indications of possible “transactions,” Kincheloe shared that the encampment site “has grown to what appears to be more than one person, multiple stolen shopping carts, multiple pieces of clothing, furniture, and debris. There are multiple dogs, the trash bins are overflowing, and there is a large stack of used rubber tires as well as abandoned vehicles.”
Michelynn Woodard, who reportedly lives near the encampment site, emailed Four Points News about the hazard. “I would like to see a story about the growing homeless encampment at Las Palapas on the corner of 620 and Four Points Center drive by HEB,” she wrote.
“The restaurant has closed and there are dogs, people, beds, etc. It could be a very dangerous situation soon… Soon there will be school children boarding buses, people getting food at the McDonald’s next door, or visiting Orangetheory early in the morning across the street. The homeless have at least 10 dogs over there and have been seen with no clothing.”
According to Four Point News, a July 27 post on the Neighbors App by Ring stated, “There has been a homeless camp growing in size and filth for over a month. 311 has been informed as well as (the) local homeless outreach officer. Nothing has been done to remedy this. They have 6 adult dogs that can be aggressive towards people walking nearby. This has also encouraged others to start dumping on the property, and two big trucks seem to be abandoned. I’ve exhausted all legal means to get this removed, including reaching out to (the) owner [who’s] contact info led to a dead end.”
Rebecca Sharp, treasurer of Fredrickson Enterprises Inc., the Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based company that owns the property, said they were aware of the encampment but that Taco Cabana still manages the property.
However, Sharp said the company strives to maintain its properties “in a first-class manner for the neighborhoods.” She added, “As of today (July 30), I was told the individuals have left the property.”
While homeless encampments continue to pose problems in Texas, Austin City Council member Mackenzie Kelly took action in June by leading a cleanup effort for an abandoned encampment in her northwest Austin district off Lakecreek and Pecan Park for the local homeowners association.
In response to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding cities’ rights to prohibit public sleeping and camping, Kelly said in a post on X, “My constituents know I stand firm on common-sense principles. Having personally visited numerous homeless encampments since day one of my tenure, I’ve pledged unwavering commitment to cleaning up our city and ensuring compassionate and safe resources for those experiencing homelessness, because living outside in abhorrent conditions lacking basic sanitary needs is anything but humane.”