City Council to Address Homeless Encampments at Town Hall Meeting

The San Angelo City Council will hold a public forum to address the homeless encampments along the Concho River on Tuesday, March 28. The forum will be hosted by District 5 City Councilman, Lane Carter, at 6 p.m. at the McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Dr. 

City officials will talk about the differences between the terms  "homeless population" and "the panhandlers."  Furthermore, Carters town hall will address the many concerns voiced by San Angelo residents about the current build up of homeless persons living under the Houston Harte Expressway. Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation owns that specific plot of land which means the San Angelo Police Department (SAPD) lack the authority to formally address the issue.

Anthony Wilson, Public Information Officer for the City said, "City ordinances that prohibit camping on City property does not extend to state property." 

In addition, the SAPD no longer issues Itinerant Merchant (IM) Permits to panhandlers. IM Permits are only valid for door-to-door salesman's who are credible. 

The City is working together with the Concho Valley Homeless Coalition to address the community's homeless issue. The Concho Valley Homeless Coalition are committed to assisting homeless individuals who are seeking assistance and work with organizations like the Salvation Army, MHMR, and the Housing Authority of San Angelo.