Dallas City Council is considering the potential benefits of establishing authorized homeless encampments in response to increasing homelessness across the City.
Housing and Homeless Solutions Committee members met on September 23 to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of creating designated areas for those experiencing homelessness, particularly people who are reluctant to seek shelter.
The proposal aligns with similar initiatives in cities like Los Angeles, Austin, and San Antonio, which have sought innovative solutions to address homelessness. Options being considered include using tiny homes or converted shipping containers to provide safe and sanitary living conditions, according to a recent report from Fox 4 KDFW.
“Homelessness in Texas has surged by more than 12% in 2023, reflecting a nationwide trend. High housing costs, combined with the expiration of pandemic-era rent relief and eviction protections, have left many Texans unable to secure stable housing,” Stephanie Berman-Eisenberg, president & CEO of Carrfour Supportive Housing, told The Dallas Express.
“Without continued investment in affordable housing and support services, the number of unhoused individuals will only continue to rise,” she added.
However, the potential financial implications of the encampments discussed have raised concerns among city council members. According to City officials, estimates suggest the cost could range from $33,000 to $100,000 per person.
“From a fiscal standpoint, that gives me a lot of concern,” said Dallas City Councilman Chad West, who represents District 1.
Council Member Cara Mendelsohn of District 12 countered these concerns by arguing that the long-term costs of homelessness, such as emergency services and law enforcement, often outweigh the initial investments in supportive housing.
“It’s documented across this country what it costs for someone to be homeless in a city for city and county services. We talk regularly about outreach workers, the marshals, code compliance, integrated public services, the police, the community courts, and even the economic development impacts. I know I’ve had businesses leave District 12 and move to Plano because of homelessness,” Mendelsohn said.
Despite the intention to create safe spaces for people experiencing homelessness, the Council is grappling with various logistical challenges, particularly in identifying appropriate locations for proposed encampments. Current regulations stipulate that encampments must be at least one mile from schools, libraries, and recreational centers, leaving City officials to reevaluate potential sites.
Mendelsohn stressed the importance of structure and oversight in any proposed encampment, referencing Austin’s earlier missteps with the Esperanza Community project, which struggled due to lack of proper management.
“When Esperanza was founded in Austin, it was a mess, and it was tent camping, but it also had no oversight and no structure. It was essentially a dumping ground for people,” Mendelsohn said.
The Council has directed City staff to broaden their search criteria for possible locations.
Additionally, city officials are considering collaborations with various county officials and the Dallas Independent School District to secure additional funding for any proposed encampments, according to Fox 4.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Texas witnessed a significant rise in its homeless population within the last few years, with analysts saying that the surge is primarily due to ineffective Housing First policies.
Experts further suggest that Texas needs to change its strategy for addressing homelessness, moving away from Housing First to achieve meaningful progress.
According to the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report from the U.S. Department of Urban Development, the state experienced a 13% increase in homelessness in January 2023 compared to the same month in the previous year.
However, the editorial board of The Dallas Morning News published an op-ed last month, describing the City’s initiative to dismantle homeless encampments in Downtown Dallas as a “step forward” despite the widespread nature of the issue.
As reported by The Dallas Express, the Office of Homeless Solutions receives hundreds of 311 reports related to homeless encampments each month, with over 1,100 reported within a recent 30-day period. While the Central Business District faces significant challenges from homelessness and vagrancy, complaints about encampments are reported throughout the entire City.
Polling data conducted by DX indicates that 75% of Dallas residents view homelessness, vagrancy, and panhandling as “major” issues impacting the City.