Council takes second look at RV Park

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin could soon create an RV park that houses hundreds of homeless people. The land sits near the airport. It was found unfit to live in because of the noise from airplanes taking off and landing.

"We're now asking the FAA can we use this land for a homeless RV park the sight is ideal because it is not adjacent to a neighborhood and closely connected to mass transit," said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez.

However, some are against the proposal saying it could hurt the city. A similar proposal, at a different location, was rejected by Council two years ago.

"I feel like it will promote more homeless people to come to Austin which I wouldn't prefer,” said Brenna Sura, an Austin resident.

Still, proponents of the homeless RV park say the city has to do something and soon.

"There’s not enough beds each night in the current shelters and there’s not enough affordable housing,” said Martinez.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes would fund the project through private donations and is purchasing some of the FEMA trailers used after Hurricane Katrina.

"The proposal is about 100 trailers and then about 50 fixed cottages," said Martinez.

Karl James has been homeless the last year and is all for the idea but against the location.

"A lot of people won’t give us bus passes it’s far to walk out there especially in the day heat of summer,” said James.

The City of Austin owns the land and would lease it to the non-profit organization but would not allow children to live there due to safety concerns. They will also have to consider security, whether to allow alcohol on site and possible surveillance cameras and is just in the early planning phases.

The resolution is expected to pass the city council Thursday.

“It just asks staff to determine whether or not we can use this site,” said Martinez. "We’re not trying to create five star living conditions we are literally trying to get them off of the street."