The City of Dallas activated Temporary Inclement Weather Shelter protocols ahead of the upcoming arctic freeze that will be sweeping North Texas over the weekend.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the weather system will slam the metroplex on Sunday, bringing frigid temperatures that will stick around for at least 84 hours and could pose a serious, potentially lethal, hazard to the city’s large unsheltered homeless population.
“Inclement Weather Shelters are a priority for the City of Dallas. They provide a safe and warm environment for our unsheltered neighbors, giving them access to food and water and an opportunity to connect with organizations that can provide short and long-term supportive housing,” said Deputy City Manager Kimberly Tolbert in a press release. “This effort is a collaborative process that could not be achieved without non-profits across Dallas who are dedicated to ending homelessness.”
Dallas has seen homelessness and vagrancy increase in recent years. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, a survey of city residents found that 76% were dissatisfied with the levels of homelessness, vagrancy, and panhandling seen in their neighborhoods.
The “one-stop-shop” housing and social services model utilized by Haven for Hope has been credited with reducing unsheltered homelessness by 77% in San Antonio’s downtown area and has polled favorably among Dallas residents. Some local stakeholders in Dallas are looking to launch a similar project, but it remains to be seen whether City officials will support the effort.
Fair Park Grand Place at 3701 Grand Ave. will serve as the temporary shelter, per the City Code.
“Intake hours will be from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily thereafter, until the inclement weather triggers are no longer met,” according to a notice by the City Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS).
OHS also advised how those without transportation can make their way to the shelter.
OHS also noted it would be distributing supplies for individuals experiencing homelessness and vagrants who opt not to seek shelter.
“Though we strongly encourage all unsheltered neighbors to seek shelter during this type of weather, we must acknowledge that there are those who will refuse. In order to offer our unsheltered neighbors, the best chance of survival, our Street Outreach teams will be handing cold weather supplies (kits) including a hat, gloves, a mylar blanket, hand and foot warmers, as well as offering services and transportation to shelter,” OHS said.
