The overview
Housing Forward, the lead agency addressing homelessness in the counties, announced Feb. 5 that the All Neighbors Coalition landed the annual funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The coalition is a collective of over 100 organizations working in collaboration to solve homelessness in the two counties.
“More funding means we can scale up what works for more reductions in homelessness,” said Sarah Kahn, Housing Forward president and CEO, in the news release. “Public-private partnership, united by a laser focus on unsheltered homelessness and a commitment to evidence-based strategies, have made it possible for the All Neighbors Coalition to house more people than ever before.”
The funding, which marks a 23% increase from 2022 and a 44% increase from 2021, comes from HUD’s Continuum of Care program, according to a news release.
It will go toward expanding rehousing initiatives and related wraparound services aimed at families, survivors of domestic violence and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness by leveraging partnerships the All Neighbors Coalition has with Dallas County, the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority and other local service providers, according to the news release.
“Housing and health care work together to prevent and end homelessness,” said Carol Lucky, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority CEO and All Neighbors Coalition board chair, in the news release. “As neighbors move back into permanent housing, connections to behavioral health and community-based services ensures individuals and families never have to return to homelessness.”
What else?
According to Housing Forward Board Chair Peter Brodsky, HUD funding is allocated based on past performance. In the last year, All Neighbors Coalition officials said they have seen a 14% reduction in unsheltered homelessness and a 32% decline in chronic homelessness.
The context
During the April 2023 State of Homelessness address, Housing Forward officials announced counting 4,244 individuals experiencing homelessness as part of its 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. That count marked a 4% decrease in the amount of people experiencing homelessness from 2022.
Housing Forward has not released data from its most recent point-in-time county, which took place in January.
“In the last few years alone we’ve seen a 160% increase in monthly housing placements,” Kahn said. “Together we’re focused on helping families and individuals move back into permanent homes with access to needed services.”
Cecilia Lenzen contributed to this report.
