For some local relief programs, a lack of staffing, political support and effective community outreach got in the way of spending federal funds to prevent evictions, a new report found. More than $30 million went unspent and had to be returned.
Lucy Tompkins
Lucy Tompkins worked for the Tribune as a housing and homelessness reporting fellow through The New York Times’ Headway Initiative, a philanthropically supported initiative that examines the world’s challenges through the lens of progress. She began her career as an education reporter at the Missoulian in Missoula, Montana. In spring 2020, she joined The New York Times as a general assignment fellow on the national desk, then spent a year reporting on housing, health and other issues with the Headway team. She grew up in Bozeman, Montana and studied journalism and anthropology at the University of Montana.
Posted in
Economy
They saved to buy their own mobile homes. Then the land beneath them was sold to an investor.
Mobile homes are a vital source of affordable housing for around 2 million Texans. But as Texas cities grow, many mobile home parks are being closed and redeveloped, pushing out longtime residents.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Austin voters banned homeless people from camping in public spaces. The city is creating housing for them but not fast enough.
Police have had to eject hundreds of people from encampments. They still struggle to tell many of them where to go.
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
Homeless Texans left with few places to cool off during record heat
Heat-related emergency calls have spiked amid historic heat. Cooling centers are available in major cities but often close in the late afternoon — during the hottest parts of the day.
