Panhandling in austin

It’s no secret, panhandling has become a hotly debated topic among city officials. Austinites seem to have varying and passionate opinions about the matter, as well.

Current Austin city ordinance applies to only certain areas of the city, including the downtown business district. Recent actions taken to expand the ordinance throughout Austin have been declared unconstitutional for the second time in less than three years, upholding the right to constitutionally protected speech.

According to research, as many as 1 in 7 buy alcohol and drugs with money they panhandle. So giving money often perpetuates the circumstances that have led to homelessness. Don't misunderstand - not all panhandlers are homeless, nor are they all drug abusers or alcoholics.

In an interview for KXAN, Wayne Krause with The Texas Civil Rights project was quoted as saying, “It’s important not to attack the symptoms, but to get to the roots of the problem of homelessness.”

So what should the city do to make real change? First off, the media need to continue to bring attention to the issue, because that creates awareness, which leads to activism. Secondly, a program is needed to educate tourists and residents about panhandling and an alternative means to help. I propose that Austin city officials model a program put in place in Portland, Oregon, called “Real Change, not Spare Change”. The program, a service provided by the Portland Business Alliance, offers education and an opportunity to interact with panhandlers through a voucher program, while supporting service agencies. It’s a win-win situation for those in need and helps tourists and families feel more comfortable.

By redirecting donations from panhandlers to targeted social service/treatment response systems, strengthens the capacity of agencies to provide food for the hungry, shelter and housing for the homeless, mental health support services, and substance abuse recovery services for those challenged by additions.

The Portland program uses decommissioned meters placed in various places throughout downtown, in which change can be deposited. The funds are collected on a monthly basis and directed to the service agencies. Also, a voucher program is in place, where citizens can purchase vouchers that can be redeemed for showers, transit and clothing. The vouchers are 25 cents, are available in books of four, can be purchased at various locations around the city, and given to panhandlers instead of spare change. Critical to such a program’s success is constant education and renewed efforts to publicize the program.

The idea is not to drive the homeless out of our city, but to address the problem in such a way that gets everyone involved. After all, this is our city.