Ending Homelessness in Dallas – Putting Theory Into Practice: Dallas’ Homeless Response System Swings into Action – 2017-2018

With the necessary components of an effective unified homeless response system in place, MDHA shifted its focus to utilizing while continuously improving each of the above pillars, mentioned in the last blog post. Here are a few highlights:

Homeless Counts – MDHA conducted the most extensive and technologically advanced Homeless Counts in Texas history[i], mobilizing more than 1,500 volunteers, each year. Use of the Counting Us app not only made it easier and more accurate, but by capturing the latitude and longitude of each encounter, it enabled outreach teams to aid individuals belonging to specific populations, within hours of the Count.
Hurricane Harvey Relief – MDHA, the City of Dallas, the Dallas Foundation and Catholic Charities of Dallas joined forces to provide housing, services and case management to 200 non-FEMA eligible families, rendered homeless by Hurricane Harvey.
Homeless Response System Leadership Training and Strategic Planning Retreat – This groundbreaking gathering was facilitated by pioneering world expert, Dr. Iain De Jong, and former HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ann Oliva. With more than 65 senior leaders in attendance, it was designed to usher in a more strategic community response to homelessness. The resulting Dallas’ Strategic Plan to Advance the Work of Ending Homelessness[iii] was endorsed by the MDHA board.

Dr. Iain De Jong (Courtesy of the Salt Lake Tribune)

Emergency Shelter Housing Challenge – MDHA challenged itself and its partners to house a 90 emergency shelter guests in 90 days[iv]. We ended up housing 219 people!
Faith-Based Organizations – To channel the energy of the faith community, MDHA adopted a shared homelessness initiative[v] with Faith Forward Dallas.
Homeless Helpline – A key part of any homeless response system, it refers clients to several hubs: youth, domestic violence victims, families with children, single adults, Collin County residents, and general assistance, with each hub managed by a key CoC service provider.[vi]
Collin County Expansion – MDHA expanded its assistance to Collin County providers, with a team member officing in Collin County, assisting clients with housing navigation and placement.
Inclement Weather Shelter – MDHA worked closely with its partners to support the provision of inclement weather shelter in both Dallas and Collin Counties.
New Leadership – Carl Falconer, prominent leader in homelessness services in Jacksonville, Florida, became our new President and CEO, in late 2018. Falconer, an eight-year U.S. Army veteran, has worked in our field since 1994, from street outreach, to emergency shelter, to housing programs, and hit the ground running in Dallas.