All Neighbors Coalition Announces Third Year of Reductions in Homelessness in Dallas, Collin counties; More Than 10,100 Individuals Housed Since 2021 System Transformation

April 30, 2024

DALLAS – The City of Dallas is proud to announce a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat homelessness within Dallas and Collin Counties.

This year marks the third consecutive year of reductions in homelessness, achieving the lowest total number of individuals experiencing homelessness in nearly a decade. The latest January Point-in-Time count revealed that on any given night, 3,718 individuals are experiencing homelessness across both Counties. This represents a 19% decrease in overall homelessness and a 24% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since 2021.

This remarkable progress is largely attributed to the transformative efforts of the All Neighbors Coalition, which now includes 150 organizations focused on addressing homelessness through evidence-based strategies. This Coalition, bolstered by a robust public-private partnership, has expanded access to housing, health care, and stability services for our unhoused neighbors.  

Deputy City Manager Kimberly Tolbert highlighted the importance of these collaborative efforts in reversing the trends of homelessness commenting that, “Making homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring is a collective effort. The City of Dallas, Office of Homeless Solutions is proud to partner with organizations like Housing Forward, The Stewpot, and The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, whose hard work have led to a sustained, three-year decline of unsheltered residents in Dallas and Colin Counties. The success reels that were displayed during today’s State of Homelessness Address demonstrate the importance of the work we do and the need to continue. Everyone has a story and deserves the opportunity to receive wraparound services to establish a fresh start for their lives. These are our neighbors and together our impact will lead to a day when homelessness is extinct from our community.” 

Furthermore, the initiative has garnered national recognition, positioning our region as a top performer in reducing homelessness—a feat achieved by only 27% of communities in the United States last year. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has acknowledged these efforts with a $27 million annual funding grant to the Coalition, marking a 44% increase in performance-based funding since 2021. Looking ahead, the Coalition has set an ambitious goal to cut street homelessness by 50% by 2026, which will be made possible via a $30 million public-private investment. The next phase includes a “Street to Home” approach aimed at closing encampments in public spaces, offering behavioral healthcare, and rehousing assistance onsite. Since 2021, over 10,100 individuals have been successfully housed, demonstrating significant reductions in family, youth, and veteran homelessness.

Despite these achievements, the data also underscores persistent challenges, particularly the disproportionate impact of homelessness on Black communities. Nearly 57% of the unhoused population is Black, despite Black households comprising only 19% of the general population in Dallas and Collin Counties. This disparity underscores the importance of continuing to focus on racial equity as a cornerstone of our homelessness response efforts. As we release the new data and outline the next steps in our rehousing initiatives, we remain committed to making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in our communities.

About the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions: The Office of Homeless Solutions was designed to be the change agent in the homeless community. With the help of partnering organizations and community members like you, we offer strategic initiatives and street outreach to overcome homelessness throughout the city by implementing initiatives with consistency, transparency, and accountability. Our innovative solutions ensure our homeless neighbors receive food, shelter, housing, help to overcome barriers, and opportunities for a better life. We seek to provide public and private partners with the tools, resources, and opportunities to join the cause and help unsheltered individuals in our community.