Texas Attorney General Just Sued an Austin Homeless Center

A new lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is accusing the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center in South Austin of turning a once-quiet neighborhood into a hotbed for drug use and crime. The center, located next to Joslin Elementary School, is under scrutiny after local residents raised concerns over the safety of their community.

Paxton's office claims the center has enabled criminal activity and rampant drug use, undermining its stated mission of helping those experiencing homelessness. Neighbors reported walking past discarded drug paraphernalia, including needles, every day. Ashley Hammack, a mother of a Joslin Elementary student, said she found needles hidden under playground wood and now refuses to let her son play there.

"There was a bunch of homeless people always hanging around. There's been stabbings here," Hammack added.

The Western Trails Neighborhood Association, represented by President Dale Herron, echoed concerns for children's safety. "It's really become a place where we don't really want to come anymore," Herron said.
Sunrise, which has been operating for nearly a decade, offers food, hygiene products, mental health services, and more to those experiencing homelessness. However, Paxton alleges the center facilitates drug use by allowing a syringe distributor to provide supplies and encourage injections on-site.

Austin city leaders are exploring options to relocate the center but have not yet established a timeline for the move. The center receives significant funding from both the city and Travis County, including a recent $350,000 allocation. Residents hope this lawsuit prompts action to protect their community and avoid potential tragedy.