Controversial Homeless Shelter Violates Austin Guidelines

Austin Homeless Shelter Not in Compliance with Area Guidelines

In Austin, Texas, a neighboring business owner is accusing the city of violating guidelines on renovation work for a controversial homeless shelter supposed to serve seniors aged 55 and older. The contention involves the shelter’s paint job which is reportedly not aligned with restrictive covenant guidelines peculiar to the area.

Violation of Restrictive Covenants due to Paint Color

Pecan Gardens, a Northwest Austin fixture, is set to house homeless persons aged 55 or older. However, the shelter has recently been denounced by Rupal Chaudhari, the owner of Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton, for not adhering to the area’s restrictive covenant color guidelines. Every building within the Pecan Park subdivision is painted earth tone as per the covenant guidelines. But Rupal and her husband, also owners of the Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton, claim that the city’s paint job on the shelter does not comply.

Austin City Council Funds Controversial Shelter

The Austin City Council has bolstered efforts to launch the contentious shelter by allocating an additional $2.7 million. The shelter and the hotels share a driveway, giving both Rupal and her husband distinct visibility of the former Candlewood Suites, which was bought by Austin city in 2021 and changed into a multi-million-dollar homeless shelter for seniors.

“Despite significant opposition from Williamson County and us, the city decided to override community concerns and transform the hotel into homeless housing,” says Chaudhari. She asserts that the city violated the restrictive covenant by painting the shelter in a teal blue accent color that is not compliant with the guidelines.

City Reactions and Remedial Measures

In response to the complaint, the City of Austin released a statement indicating its recent awareness of the restrictive covenants guiding the paint color for buildings within the property. The city, along with Family Eldercare – the non-profit managing Pecan Gardens, has committed to align with permissible paint colors to rectify the current issue.

However, their proposed solution – painting only the front section of the building, attracted sarcasm from Chaudhari. “Is the building invisible from the other end?” she retorted. Ultimately, the ongoing controversy further escalates debates around the regulation and management of homelessness in Austin, putting the city’s measures under increasing scrutiny.