WILLIAMSON COUNTY (Talk1370.com) -- Williamson County officials will discuss an agenda item that would call on the Austin City Council to delay the purchase of a northwest Austin hotel to provide permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness.
An agenda item posted for Tuesday's Williamson County Commissioner's Court meeting will have the Court discuss officially asking the City for a delay of up to 180 days on the "lease, contracting for, or purchase of any property in Williamson County for the temporary or permanent housing of homeless individuals in Williamson County."
The Candlewood Suites property, located at 10811 Pecan Park Boulevard, is located within the Austin city limits, but within the portion of Council District 6 that stretches into Williamson County.
"Planning by the City of Austin has been underway for this project for approximately two years," according to the posted agenda. "As of noon on January 28, 2021, no staff from the City of Austin has provided information to the County Judge or Commissioner Precinct Two in whose precinct the hotel is located. Williamson County has no way of knowing what impact this type of facility will have on the County's indigent health care system, behavioral health entities, or numerous other affected entities and services. A one-week delay is insufficient time to assess the project and impacts."
According to the City of Austin, the purchase cost on the property is estimated to be $9.5 million, and will add approximately 80 housing units to the city's permanent supportive housing. It will be the fourth hotel property that the city has purchased for that purpose, following another property last week and two others purchased last year.
Tuesday's Commissioner's Court meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., and can be viewed online at https://www.wilco.org/livemeetings.
