As the homeless crisis in and around Dallas continues to grow, Mayor Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) unveiled a new program to address and find real solutions to helping individuals living on the streets.
Johnson announced the coalition called Dallas Real Time Rapid Rehousing (DRTRR) on June 23 surrounded by a number of elected and civic leaders.
“Excited to announce the Dallas Real-Time Rapid Rehousing Strategy,” Johnson tweeted after a press conference. “With the help of the American Rescue Plan Act and private funding, we have the opportunity to work together to help take thousands of people off our streets in Dallas and in our region over the next two years.”
According to a release on the city’s website, DRTRR was formed through a partnership between the City of Dallas, Dallas County, DHA Housing Solutions for North Texas, the City of Mesquite, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, Homeless Collaborative and the Dallas and Collin Counties’ Continuum of Care.
“This historic partnership would increase the quality of trauma-informed care from partner agencies, save taxpayer dollars spent triaging people in crisis and make Dallas County stronger and a better place to live,” Judge Clay Jenkins (D-Dallas County) said in the release.
A week prior to the unveiling of DRTRR, The Hill reported the city cleared a homeless encampment in a northeast section of Dallas following numerous complaints about it from citizens.
“The answer to homelessness is housing, and we cannot let the opportunity to house so many of our neighbors pass us by,” Peter Brodsky, MDHA Interim CEO, said in the release. “This project is testimony to the power of collective impact, and I am thrilled for MDHA to quarterback an initiative that would improve so many lives.”
The program would use 655 vouchers to grant permanent housing for survivors of domestic violence, families and people with serious health conditions.
The release also said 2,000 other other people experiencing homelessness would have rent paid off for an entire year plus be provided with case workers to help “stabilize their lives,” get health issues in check and find jobs.
Johnson added that “comprehensive solutions” are needed to help get the homeless back on their feet and give all city residents “viable pathways to better lives,” KRLD Reporter Alan Scaia tweeted.
