A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

Two laws proposed in the Texas state legislature have advocates for the unhoused concerned that new laws would make the homelessness crisis worse.
As Joshua Fechter reports in the Texas Tribune, proposed bills would increase enforcement of a statewide camping ban and limit where nonprofits can offer services to homeless residents. “They’ve also pushed legislation that housing advocates fear will accelerate evictions, potentially driving up homelessness as a result.”According to Fechter, almost 28,000 Texas residents were unhoused last year, with 12,000 of them being unsheltered.
One of the proposals, Senate Bill 241, would force cities to create formal complaint systems for residents to report camping ban violations and resolve complaints within 90 days. SB 38 would speed up the eviction process, potentially pushing more people into homelessness.
“Meanwhile, bills that advocates say could help people escape homelessness have yet to hit the floor in either chamber — like a proposal to help people experiencing homelessness regain crucial personal identification documents such as birth certificates and driver’s licenses,” Fechter adds.
FULL STORY: Advocates fear Texas lawmakers are about to worsen the state’s homelessness crisis

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

Mexico City Anti-Gentrification Plan Aims to Half Housing Deficit
The plan comes in response to protests that targeted ‘digital nomads’ who locals blame for driving up housing costs.

Chicago Has Quietly Built Hundreds of Neighborhood Traffic Circles
Thanks largely to one alderperson’s efforts, the city has made mini-roundabouts a key piece of its road safety strategy.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie