Welcome back and ongoing issue could become
worse in Central Texas as development
drives many out of their homes every
day. Hundreds of people suffer from
homelessness in Waco and as the city
continues to grow in size and
ambition, there are concerns
that some are going to be left behind.
Matt Lively joins us in studio with
more details tonight. Hey Matt, Chris
Leslie, they're around 225 homeless
people living in the city of Waco.
As of the last homeless count in
January 2021, but with COVID-19
a loss of jobs and gradual.
Development that has taken
away housing in the area.
That number is on the rise in
an immediate solution does
not seem to be a priority.
This is home under a bridge or near a train.
Hundreds of your neighbors in McLennan
County are living on the streets.
Series of unfortunate events really
lost my job. Moved here to taxes
and couldn't find a new one. John
has been homeless for more than two years.
Once a chef in Vegas, he has struggled
to find anyone to hire him in Texas.
A lot of it, once they find out your helmets,
they just don't want to give you a chance.
And come over on another state.
You know different different rules. He
is just one of hundreds who cannot
afford housing after the Oak Lodge
Motor Inn closed in September.
Even more temporary residents were
forced to look elsewhere in Waco.
That's hard to find.
He really don't have affordable housing,
have not had affordable housing
in Waco and some years now,
Carlton Willis works at Mission Waco
in organization addressing poverty.
He says many on the streets who
have jobs still can't afford.
Average rent in town
for all of the development that's going on.
The closing down of one of the motels
it just. Increases the barriers.
The obstacles that we have to face
in trying to get someone. House
prices are only going up as more
renovation takes over the downtown
area as development and growth give
the heart of Central Texas a facelift.
Find the place that's affordable for the
people that we serve you talking about.
Entry level positions and work
so they don't make enough to be
able to afford a place to live.
Willis is not the only one
concerned about future development.
Dusty and Lori Kirk run the Hanger,
a nonprofit that feeds the homeless
while giving them laundry access,
showers and resources.
They understand the development is natural,
but they hope the city keeps
their friends in mind.
I wish that in the planning,
it's easy to plan for all of
the big buildings and all
the growth and development,
and like everything else is
not happening quick enough.
And we've got people that
that need help now.
Six news reached out to
several city employees,
including Mayor Dillon Meek,
to ask about potential low income.
Housing plans, but we did not hear back.
Kirk says one option for Waco is
the tiny home method that exists at
Community first village in Austin,
helping to transition
people out of homelessness.
Ideal layout of a community that would work
well for the for the population we serve.
It's an individual house, community,
kitchen, community bathrooms and a lot
of a lot of community interaction. The
village is all donation based.
Kirk says there have been rumors of that.
Kind of development, but the rate is
too slow to keep up with the demand.
He just wants to make sure his
friends like John are given a chance.
They're just like me,
they're just like you.
They're not any different.
It's hard when you're homeless.
You know, I just put down and
gives the job he was a chance.
That's pretty much it.
The Old Oak Lodge Motor Inn
will reportedly be fully
demolished by December 2021 and
will be turned into condominiums,
lofts and retail space.
The city of Waco granted developers.
With a tax cut and a financial pledge
for the project, Chris Leslie.
Yeah, great story man.
It's a story you did well,
but it's being told all over
the country in warmer climates
and there's just not a lot
of good answers out there.
Thank you so much, man.