Housing Forward, a North Texas nonprofit committed to serving the homeless population, announced new data related to homelessness during its annual State of Homelessness address April 13. Each year, the organization conducts a federally mandated point-in-time count of the homeless population in Dallas and Collin counties. The count is meant to provide a snapshot of trends rather than a comprehensive number.
Homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties has dropped by about 4% since 2022, according to Housing Forward data shared during the address. In 2022, 4,410 people were experiencing homelessness.
“These findings underscore the importance of continuing to invest in permanent rather than temporary solutions,” Joli Angel Robinson, president and CEO of Housing Forward, said during the address. “Homelessness decreased in areas where targeted rehousing investments were made.”
While the overall number of homeless individuals has decreased, the number of veterans and youth experiencing homelessness has increased since 2022. In 2023, Housing Forward counted 194 youth ages 18-24 and 365 veterans experiencing homelessness. In 2022, those numbers were 164 and 302, respectively.
Despite the progress of the declining numbers overall, Robinson said there are notable racial disparities in the homeless population. While Black people account for only about 24% of the area's overall population, they make up about 60% of the homeless population, according to Housing Forward data.
The racial and ethnic breakdown of the 4,244 homeless individuals counted in 2023 is as follows:
- 34.8% white;
- 1.48% American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous;
- 1.48% Asian or Asian American;
- 2.33% multiple races; and
- 14.73% Hispanic or Latino.
