The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the All Neighbors Coalition, a collective of over 140 organizations working in collaboration to solve homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties, will receive over $27 million in annual funding. This is a 23% increase over 2022 and a 44% increase over 2021, when the All Neighbors Coalition redesigned its approach to tackling homelessness by drawing on evidence-based strategies. The increase is a reward for the region’s united effort to end homelessness through cross-system partnerships with behavioral healthcare and housing agencies. The funding is part of HUD’s $3.16 billion homelessness assistance funding to communities nationwide through its Continuum of Care program which expands housing and services projects for families, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
According to a press release published by HUD, “successful applicants demonstrated their community-wide commitment to ending homelessness by highlighting local partnerships with health agencies, mainstream housing agencies, and others. Many communities are particularly focused on reducing unsheltered homelessness through a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach.” Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition have been doing exactly that by enhanced public-private partnerships and the work of committed service providers
President and CEO of Housing Forward Sarah Kahn said, “More funding means we can scale up what works for more reductions in homelessness. Public-private partnerships, united by a laser-focus on unsheltered homelessness and a commitment to evidence-based strategies, have made it possible for the All Neighbors Coalition to house more people than ever before. In the last few years alone we’ve seen a 160% increase in monthly housing placements. Together we’re focused on helping families and individuals move back into permanent homes with access to needed services.”
Board Chair of Housing Forward Peter Brodsky said, “HUD allocates funding based on performance. The increase in funding for our community reflects the efficacy of the strategy employed by the All Neighbors Coalition to tackle homelessness, as well as its hard work doing the day-to-day, person-by-person work of helping our unhoused neighbors move into homes and get the services they need to be able to stay housed. It is terrific to see the virtuous cycle of progress leading to increased funding, which will allow us to make more progress.”
The All Neighbors Coalition has continued to demonstrate a solid commitment to ending homelessness resulting in a 14% reduction in unsheltered homelessness and 32% reduction in chronic homelessness last year. This funding opportunity will leverage partnerships with Dallas County, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority, and service providers to expand rehousing assistance and wrap-around services to families and individuals exiting homelessness.
Carol Lucky, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority CEO and All Neighbors Coalition Board Chair said, “Housing and healthcare work together to prevent and end homelessness. North Texas Behavioral Health Authority is excited to continue partnering with the homeless response system to support long-term stabilization. As neighbors move back into permanent housing, connections to behavioral health and community based services ensures individuals and families never have to return to homelessness.”
