Dallas

Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee

Agenda Items (14)

This City Council Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee meeting will be held by video conference and in the Council Chambers, 6th Floor at City Hall. The public may attend the meeting virtually; however, City Hall is available for those wishing to attend the meeting in person. The Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee will be broadcast live on Spectrum Cable Channel 16 (English) and 95 (Spanish) and online at bit.ly/cityofdallastv. The public may also listen to the meeting as an attendee at the following video conference link: Call to Order

MINUTES

The committee may vote to make recommendations to City Council regarding any of the following items on this agenda.

BRIEFING ITEMS

Data Driven Visualizations on Dallas Homeless Issues [Dr. Allen Gwinn, Clinical Professor of IT and Data Analytics, SMU Cox School of Business]

25-3473A

Agency Spotlight [Verna Jones, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Under 1 Roof]

25-3523A

Summary

This agenda item features Under 1 Roof, an agency focused on providing permanent supportive housing and services to low-income individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Dallas and surrounding counties. The presentation highlights their mission, vision, and client demographics from 2024, showing that 89% of their clients are in Dallas County and 100% live below the Federal Poverty Line. It details their housing programs, including Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH), and prevention services. The agency has received over $4.7 million in funding from the City of Dallas since 2020 for various housing initiatives.

Citizen Impact

This presentation highlights an agency working to combat homelessness, potentially leading to increased support services and housing options for vulnerable populations in Dallas.

Confidence

high

Overview of Proposed Housing and Homelessness Policy Framework [Thor Erickson, Director, Office of Housing and Community Empowerment; James Armstrong, Deputy Director, Office of Housing and Community Empowerment; Kory Levingston, Fair Housing Administrator, Office of Housing and Community Empowerment]

25-3468A

Summary

This presentation outlines the proposed Housing and Homelessness Policy Framework for the City of Dallas. Following the merger of several housing-related offices into the Office of Housing and Community Empowerment (OHCE), this framework aims to integrate affordable housing, homelessness services, and fair housing initiatives. The policy pillars include Citywide Production, Citywide Preservation, Housing Services & Programs, Fair Housing System, Priority Areas, Infrastructure, Collaboration & Coordination, and Engagement & Education. This approach is designed to align with the city's 'Drivers of Opportunity' framework, focusing on economic mobility, public safety, and community empowerment to create more opportunity-rich neighborhoods.

Citizen Impact

This new policy framework will streamline access to housing and homelessness services, aiming for more coordinated and effective support for residents facing housing challenges.

Confidence

high

BRIEFING MEMOS

Citizen Homelessness Commission (CHC) Update [Thor Erickson, Director, Office of Housing and Community Empowerment]

25-3469A

Summary

This memorandum provides an update on the Citizen Homelessness Commission (CHC), an advisory body established in 2017 to align city and regional services for addressing homelessness. The CHC is a fifteen-member body appointed by the Mayor and City Council, with members including those with lived experience of homelessness and faith-based representation. From 2020-2024, the CHC has focused on reducing unsheltered homelessness, strengthening data transparency, and increasing localized engagement. Key areas of focus have included rapid rehousing, data accountability, district-level strategies, system capacity needs, and governance coordination. The CHC aims to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Citizen Impact

The Citizen Homelessness Commission provides advisory input on homelessness response strategies, aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of city services for those experiencing homelessness.

Confidence

high

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Discussion on City of Dallas Homeless Encampment Policy

25-3524A

UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS

Upcoming Agenda Item 25-2159A: December 10, 2025, Sole Source to Housing Forward for $10,000,000 Street to Home Phase 2 [Thor Erickson, Director, Office of Housing and Community Empowerment]

25-3470A

Summary

The City of Dallas is proposing a $10,000,000 sole source contract with Housing Forward for the Street to Home (STH) Phase 2 initiative. This one-year contract will fund rental assistance, paid utilities, and supportive services for over 425 individuals transitioning from existing shelters into stable housing. The program aims to accelerate diversion and rehousing efforts, clear shelter beds, and support individuals with severe mental health and addiction issues, aligning with the city's goal to reduce encampments and homelessness. This phase builds upon the success of STH Phase 1, which served over 1,190 individuals and contributed to a 26% reduction in downtown crime.

Citizen Impact

This initiative will provide rental and utility assistance to over 425 individuals experiencing homelessness, helping them secure stable housing and potentially reducing visible encampments.

Confidence

high

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