AUSTIN, Texas - Austin City Council voted 8-3 to buy a $4.3 million property on I-35 near Oltorf for a controversial new homeless navigation center.

Advocates for the site say it's needed to help those who need services, but opponents are worried about safety in their community. Many say they're not against homeless navigation centers, but they want more time to look at the impacts.

What they're saying:

About 60 people spoke during public comment.

"This proposed site is just 0.3 miles from a high school, and 0.8 miles from an elementary school, which will only worsen those problems in the area that are already strained with safety concerns and limited enforcement," one public commenter said.

"Our homeless neighbors are not dangerous murderers or predators, they are our friends, ne

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