As debates within the City Council intensify, Dallas City Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn is highlighting changing attitudes towards homelessness, emphasizing policies related to homeless encampments.
A recent post by Councilmember Adam Bazaldua referenced Mendelsohn’s stance, criticizing her position as Mendelsohn continues to advocate for stricter regulations on public homeless encampments and a bigger-picture approach to those experiencing homelessness. Bazaldua’s comments referred to an article Mendelsohn referenced from AP News reporting that California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging cities and counties to begin clearing homeless encampments.
Mendelsohn added, “In Dallas, you’re called all sorts of terrible things for saying exactly what Gov. Newsom said. Gov. Gavin Newsom urges California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments.”
I’m very thankful this colleague of mine is in the minority on this issue (and most issues) so we can continue to address homelessness with dignity and compassion.
It can’t be addressed in a vacuum, we need to invest more in mental health resources and addiction services. https://t.co/0v5CA98Sbx— Adam R. Bazaldua (@AdamBazaldua) May 14, 2025
The California governor’s comments showcase a bigger trend among many leaders across the country who are calling for new strategies to manage the visibility and growth of homeless encampments in public spaces.
Perhaps Mendelsohn’s post was the metaphoric ice bath the City of Dallas needs to understand and effectively address the homelessness issues and intrusive encampments throughout Dallas.
As of publication, Mendelsohn has not directly commented to The Dallas Express regarding Bazaldua or any other city official. However, her recent posts and public statements indicate her steadfast connection to policies focused on restructuring encampments and housing solutions across the City.
The debate around Dallas’ homeless population highlights an ongoing divide in how local leaders approach this growing problem. The homelessness issue isn’t leaving Dallas anytime soon, nor is the focus of its city leaders: now it’s time to see what solutions are truly compassionate and which solutions continue to cause chaos.
What the experts are saying:
“One of the largest barriers remains housing affordability. Dallas only has 17 affordable units for every 100 low-income households, which leaves far too many without secure housing. Rising rents and stagnant incomes make building and maintaining a stable life a constant uphill battle. Opportunity zones, which incentivize private investment through tax breaks, could be a game-changer here,” Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer at Hispanic Construction Council George Carrillo explained to The Dallas Express.
“Creating housing in these opportunity zones not only provides stability for families but also revitalizes neighborhoods and mitigates the growing housing deficit. These tools, combined with decisive action to make zoning laws more accommodating for affordable and multi-family housing, could help turn the tide for thousands of people,” Carrillo added.
“In order to end encampments, you need to end the need for encampments. Clearing encampments and ending homelessness is the humane thing to do, and we all know it,” Elizabeth Funk, the Founder & CEO of DignityMoves, told DX.