All Neighbors Coalition Announces Third Year of Reductions in Homelessness in Dallas, Collin counties; More Than 10,100 Individuals Housed Since 2021 System Transformation
Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition today announced the third consecutive year of reductions in homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties, including the lowest total number of people experiencing homelessness in nearly a decade.
According to the January Point-in-Time count, a total of 3,718 individuals are experiencing homelessness on any given night in Dallas and Collin counties. That equates to a 19% reduction in overall homelessness and a 24% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since 2021.
That is the year the All Neighbors Coalition, now comprised of 150 organizations, transformed to more effectively tackle homelessness with evidence-based strategies. Fueled by public-private partnership, the system expanded pathways to housing, health, and stability for our neighbors who are unhoused.
“The success we are seeing in Dallas and Collin counties goes against national trends,” said Peter Brodsky, Housing Forward Board Chair. “Together, we have built an infrastructure that is now housing more people experiencing homelessness than ever before and providing the critical wrap-around services to ensure people do not fall back into homelessness.”
Since 2021, more than 10,100 people experiencing homelessness have been housed, with decreases this year as compared to 2023 in family homelessness (15%), youth homelessness (22%), and veteran homelessness (21%).
Federal officials have recognized the region as a top performer and one of only 27% of communities in the country to reduce homelessness last year. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development earmarked $27 million in annual funding for the All Neighbors Coalition. That is a 44% increase in performance-based funding as compared to 2021 levels.
Coalition leaders on Tuesday pledged to continue moving the needle on homelessness, with a new goal to cut street homelessness in the region by 50% as compared to 2021 levels. With a $30 million public-private investment, officials said that goal can be met by 2026.
The next phase will emphasize closing encampments in public spaces with a targeted “Street to Home” approach. This proven model addresses public health and safety concerns, while providing a lifeline to our neighbors enduring unsheltered homelessness. Encampment closures are expedited by bringing behavioral healthcare and rehousing assistance onsite and supporting people experiencing homelessness to move back home.
“The organizations that comprise the All Neighbors Coalition are better aligned on our strategies than ever before,” said Dr. David Woody, III, a Coalition Board Member and the President and CEO of The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center in downtown Dallas. “We better understand what it takes to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we are committed to working together to ensure this progress continues.”
The data also reveals ongoing challenges. While Black households make up just 19% of the general population in Dallas and Collin counties, nearly 57% of the unhoused population is Black. This imbalance is a by-product of the wide-ranging impacts of systemic racism and inequities.
“The data continues to support our focus on racial equity,” said Sarah Kahn, Housing Forward President and CEO. “A key part of our system transformation is our commitment to advancing racial equity by identifying and dismantling disparities within the homeless response system.”
The new data and details on the next phase of rehousing efforts were released as part of the annual State of Homelessness Address, held this year at the Winspear Opera House in the Dallas Arts District.
Watch the recording of the 2024 State of Homelessness Address and view the presentation slides.
We are grateful for the following sponsors of the 2024 State of Homelessness Address:
Blue Sponsors
Ann & Tim Gavin
AdvanceNet Labs
Apartment Association of Greater Dallas
Children’s Health
Daniel Roby
Ensemble
First UMC Dallas
Gary Cochran
Marsha Clark
Temple Emanu-El
Temple Shalom
Silver Sponsors
Carol and Steve Aaron
Catholic Charities of Dallas
Congregation Shearith Isreal
Dr. Philip Huang
Molly Van Ort
Nancy Best
United Way Metropolitan Dallas
Vogel
Volunteers of America Texas
WAK Management Company
Gold Sponsors
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
CORT
Dominium
Drs. Debra and David Woody III
Marilee and Charles O’Connell
The Stewpot, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas