WilCo Explores Legal Action Against Austin Homeless Hotel Plan

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County officials on Wednesday are slated to detail possible legal action planned against Austin over plans to use a hotel within the county's jurisdiction as a makeshift homeless shelter.

In an advisory, Williamson County officials said they sent a letter to their Austin counterparts last Tuesday requesting a 180-day hold before making a decision on whether to buy the Candlewood Suites to house homeless people. Despite the request, county officials added, Austin City Council members approved the purchase of the hotel two days later. Williamson County officials suggested they were taken by surprise over the plans, not having been alerted the hotel purchase was planned.

Now, it appears Williamson County officials are poised to strike back with litigation. In the advisory, WilCo officials said a number of elected officials will gather for a news conference outlining their legal response. The move comes after county commissioners directed the county's general counsel to "...propose an engagement agreement with a law firm to represent Williamson County relating to the City of Austin’s attempt to operate and use property in Williamson County for the temporary or permanent housing of homeless individuals in Williamson County," officials wrote.

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The news conference is scheduled to take place at noon on Wednesday at the Hampton Inn, 10811 Pecan Park Blvd. Scheduled to attend are Sen. Charles Schwertner; Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell; Precinct. 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long; and Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly. "The representatives for this area desire to have a collaborative conversation together to discuss the serious issues of homelessness, not be blind-sided by fast actions with no prior discussion," officials wrote in their advisory.

Patch will update after the news conference on Wednesday.