Today United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro and Mayor Steve Adler announced that the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, HUD, and the Department of Veterans Affairs are pleased to confirm that the City of Austin has effectively ended homelessness among veterans in Austin. This designation reflects the USICH’s confidence that Austin has built the infrastructure and systems that will ensure that any homeless veteran in Austin will quickly get the help he or she needs to get into a permanent home.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that once our veterans have served their nation, they have a safe, stable place to call home. Austin today has proven that ending veteran homelessness isn’t just aspirational – it’s achievable. I’m so proud to congratulate the city and its partners on working tirelessly to give our veterans a dignified home, setting an example for communities across the nation,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. Continue reading
“Today the Council took an important step to address traffic congestion and our other mobility challenges. These corridor plans have been sitting on the shelf long enough. It’s time to do the work,” said Mayor Steve Adler. “The Smart Corridor mobility bond reflects the widespread support in the community and on this Council to address traffic congestion, improve transit, increase safety, and build walkable neighborhoods. We have our congestion level in Austin because we have chosen not to invest in our infrastructure. This is a down payment on a better future for Austin’s traffic.” 
At a City Hall press conference, former Council member Mike Martinez endorsed the Smart Corridor bond, which he characterized as a continuation of the progress made when he served on the City Council and the board of the Capital Metropolitan Authority.