ATX-NNW: Impact 10/15/2025

The Austin and Travis County homelessness response system is growing more efficient and seeing fewer people needing services than in the past few years, according to new reporting from the regional system's coordinator.

The details: Top takeaways from the report include a drop in the number of first-time homeless clients accessing services, a jump in available shelter beds and housing units, and reduced wait times for people seeking housing. Still, local officials said further investments must be made to meet the needs of a growing population and cautioned that wide disparities remain in the system.

Quote of note: "We're not where we want to be yet, although we are celebrating progress today. But the clear evidence is that what we’re doing and the investments we're making are having a positive impact," Mayor Kirk Watson said at the report's presentation Oct. 8.

CapMetro has hired RenEarl Bowie as its new transit police chief, the agency announced Oct. 10. Bowie, who brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, will lead the agency’s 14-member Transit Police Department.

The overview: Bowie joined CapMetro earlier this year as a police captain. 

"I deeply believe in our mission," he said in a statement. "I am truly honored to now lead this dedicated team as we continue building relationships with out community and ensuring safety." 

His appointment follows the departure of the department’s first chief, Eric Robins, who left shortly after the agency began initial patrols this summer.

Some context: CapMetro’s transit police operate alongside public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists as part of the agency’s three-part safety strategy launched in 2021. The ambassadors handle nonviolent issues such as welfare checks, vandalism and loitering, while social workers help connect people to housing, food and health care. Officers are trained in crisis intervention and community-oriented policing.

Texas Ramp Project, which builds free wheelchair ramps for those in need across the state, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, according to a Sept. 15 news release. Over its 40 years, the nonprofit has built ramps for over 30,000 recipients with the help of over 3,500 volunteers.

Some context: The organization began in 1985 as the Dallas Ramp Project before being incorporated as the Texas Ramp Project in 2006, according to the news release. Texas Ramp Project provides the ramps to recipients at no cost, according to the news release. Most ramps cost between $800-$900 to build.

What else: In 2024, Texas Ramp Project built 2,727 ramps in 145 counties, according to its Sept. 1 fact sheet. To get a ramp, recipients must be referred by a health care provider or qualified organization via the nonprofit’s website.

What started out as a two-day Christmas market with 50 vendors has bloomed into one of Austin’s must-do holiday experiences. Now featuring over 200 artists, Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is celebrating its fifth decade bringing artists, musicians and community members together, all in one space.

The atmosphere: From Dec. 13-21, the bazaar will fill the Palmer Events Center from floor to ceiling with a variety of art ranging from jewelry and ceramics to woodwork and paintings accompanied by live music, seasonal cocktails and food.

In previous years the event highlighted music legends such as Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen and Count Basie.

“It’s such a creative high,” executive producer Bruce Willenzik said. “We have artists say it's the well spring of creativity. I get around all these other creators and we bounce off of each other. The energy just grows and we come out of there so inspired.”

• Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin