Dallas County officials are set to consider a proposed homelessness tax measure that supporters say would create a steady source of funding for housing and outreach services across the region.
Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition submitted the proposal to Dallas County and are expected to present it to the county’s Continuous Improvement Steering Committee on Monday.
The proposal would establish ongoing funding to support housing assistance, outreach programs, and other efforts to reduce homelessness in Dallas County.
Commissioners attending the meeting, which Commissioner Andy Sommerman chairs, will decide whether to move the proposal to the full Commissioners Court agenda. If approved, commissioners would then vote on whether to place the measure on the November ballot for voters to consider.
Under the proposal, property owners in Dallas County would pay an average of about $5 per month.
“The voters decide,” Sommerman said, KERA News reported. “Somebody will say I’m raising their taxes and the answer is ‘No, I’m not. I’m letting you decide. You choose.’”
Sommerman compared the proposed monthly cost to the money some drivers may hand to unhoused individuals at intersections.
“You will not see him on the street corner that you would have to give the five dollars — or not — or even feel obligated to in any way shape or form,” he said. “Hopefully this takes care of it all. For the first time ever.”
Supporters of the proposal say long-term funding is necessary to maintain housing programs and prevent overcrowding at shelters.
Housing Forward President and CEO Sarah Kahn said organizations working to address homelessness rely heavily on stable financial support to continue helping people secure housing and avoid increases in unsheltered homelessness.
“We need sustainable funding — whatever source that comes from, but the city, the county, and our private sector partners continue to work together to make sure that that resource is available,” Kahn said during a recent media event, per KERA.
Earlier this year, Dallas County and the City of Dallas each approved $10 million for Housing Forward and its partner organizations. However, half of the city’s contribution came from remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds, a source that will no longer be available next year.
Kahn said maintaining consistent funding is critical because homelessness requires ongoing attention rather than one-time investments.
“This is not a one-and-done issue,” she said. “And we need sustainable dollars every year to be able to meet that annual need to avoid large spikes in street homelessness. That requires sustainable revenue feeding the system year after year — whatever that looks like for local governments in terms of their contribution to this issue.”
A separate proposal involving a childcare tax is also expected to be discussed during Monday’s meeting.
