Why homelessness in Dallas needs all hands on deck, say advocates

With Biden’s plan to reduce homelessness 25% nationwide by 2025, Dallas advocates say local system is poised to house more people

“Our more intentional approach to thinking about this regionally and engaging not only elected officials but our direct service providers in a new and different way, not only from a city of Dallas perspective but countywide for us in Dallas and Collin County, has been really integral,” says Joli Robinson, president and CEO of Housing Forward, the lead agency for Dallas and Collin counties’ homeless response system.

The 2022 point-in-time survey counted 4,410 people experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties, down slightly from 4,570 people who were counted in 2021, despite a nearly 90% increase in chronic homelessness.a collaborative effort fueled by COVID relief money to house about 2,700 people experiencing homelessness by the end of 2023. About 1,500 people have found housing through the program so far.With a transformed system, Robinson says hard goals have a clear path in sight.

She wants to significantly reduce the unsheltered homeless population and renew focus on cutting youth homelessness, a population often undercounted by the annual point-in-time count. The lead agency for Dallas and Collin counties changed its name from Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance to Housing Forward to include an expansive region inside and beyond the city where it partners with dozens of nonprofits.

“There has been a renewed focus and energy and concerted effort from our organization and from others to continue to hold up the mantle of what it truly means for our system to be diverse, to be equitable, and to be inclusive in our processes,” Robinson said. “It’s an effective strategy as it relates to addressing homelessness from an equitable standpoint because you’re talking about a majority of individuals who are homeless are older African American males,” Thomas said.

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