Dallas is completing the first phase of its new program to combat homelessness

Charles William is a Dallas artist who lost his home in 2020 — and has been living in the city's library ever since.

Now he is one of more than 100 people who have received housing in the city's latest program to tackle homeless encampments.

He said while not everyone in the camps who receive housing will accept it, the new Street-To-Home program could be a starting point for many.

“This program can be … a middle point that will help people transition from the street to a home – because that middle point is lonely,” Williams said. “And people don't know how to respond to that.”

The city held a press conference Monday to share the results of their Street-To-Home program, which aims to provide permanent housing for unsheltered residents.

The program started in July. It's a partnership that also includes the All Neighbors Coalition, a collaboration of 150 organizations in Dallas and Collin counties aimed at ending homelessness. The homeless nonprofit Housing Forward led the effort.

Sarah Khan, CEO of Housing Forward, said $30 million has been invested in the project since its inception. Funding came from several sources, including Dallas Housing Authority, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority, The Community Foundation of Texas and Downtown Dallas, Inc.

Since then, more than 100 unsheltered people have been moved into long-term housing.

But, she said, this is only the completion of the first phase and more needs to be done.

“When we see people suffering on sidewalks, behind buildings or in tents in our city, this is unacceptable,” Khan said. “And as a community we must ensure that no one sleeps outside.”

Now they want the overall homelessness population to decrease by 50% over the next two years, based on 2021 statistics.

In addition to finding housing for those groups of people, the program focused on closing three encampment zones around the city: the downtown library, just across from Dallas City Hall between Young and Canton streets, and a levee along Interstate 30 between Canton and Griffin Streets. . The last zone was closed last weekend.

These zones have been chosen based on areas with the largest number of people who have lived outside for the longest time.

Interim Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert said Dallas police received more than 100 calls for service within the three zones between January and July. There have been three calls since the closures.

“I vowed that we would be responsible, that we would be responsive and transparent. “To build trust and truly deliver on our commitment to service with the urgency of now,” said Dallas Interim Manager Kimberly Tolbert. “This initiative is all about delivering on that promise.”

Khan said they also plan to integrate behavioral health services as the city works to keep encampments clear.

More than 10,000 people experiencing homelessness have been housed in Dallas and Collin counties as of 2021, according to the All Neighbors website. Despite that, both counties have seen a decline in homelessness since then an increase nationally.

A KERA project focuses on the city's initiatives to move people from camps to sustainable housing.

This year's annual count found that 3,718 people were homeless in Dallas and Collin counties on one evening in January. Housing Forward said overall homelessness has decreased by 19% since 2021. Last year there were 4,244 people without homes in the two provinces, a total decrease of 12%.

Their reports also found that several unsheltered homeless populations have declined since last year. Veteran homelessness fell 21%, youth homelessness fell 22% and family homelessness fell 15%.

Khan said the program plans to house other unsheltered residents in the city in existing zones. They are currently looking at the following three areas where the most people live outside, but will keep these areas confidential until after the operation is complete. Housing Forward plans to close these camps by the end of the year.

Do you have a tip? Email Penelope Rivera at privatera@kera.org.

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