A proposed tax increase by Dallas County could raise around $100 million in revenue to address homelessness while taking the county over the voter-approval tax rate.
Dallas County voters will decide whether to approve Proposition A, a 2.4-cent tax per $100 valuation earmarked for addressing homelessness in the Nov. 3 election. Commissioners approved putting the proposition on ballots Aug. 11.
What to know
The tax will appear in the form of a ballot proposition for the election. According to Dallas County’s website, the additional revenue if the rate is approved is $102.9 million. For a taxpayer with the median taxable-valued homestead in Dallas County of $268,056, the property tax bill would be $89 higher, if the additional levy is approved by voters.
County Judge Clay Jenkins said there is no end date for the tax, but it could be wound down by a future commissioners court. Jenkins added that revenue collected from the tax would go into a special fund targeted at addressing homelessness.
According to a plan presented to commissioners in August by Dallas-based nonprofit Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition—a network of 150 organizations addressing homelessness—the tax could help pay for diversion programs to cover costs to keep individuals housed, centralized intake and diversion hubs to keep homeless individuals out of jail, transitional assistance and supportive housing. Based on the presentation, Housing Forward and Dallas County could enter a five-year contract, with renewals based on meeting certain performance goals.
If the plan is enacted, it would divide Dallas County into five or six zones that would coordinate outreach, shelter and treatment, Jenkins said.
“We need to expand this model and help our homeless neighbors and our communities throughout Dallas County,” he said.
The impact
Sarah Kahn, president and CEO of Housing Forward, said Proposition A is about closing gaps and helping more individuals who may be experiencing homelessness. Based on the plan shared with commissioners, the additional revenue could help 4,500 additional families.
“There are lots of families and individuals who we have left behind to live in their cars, to live on the street, and to live in encampments across this community,” Kahn said. “It's about supporting thousands more people to exit homelessness and to connect to treatment for those who have severe mental health issues who are cycling on and off the street.”
Kahn added that of the 25,000 individuals that Housing Forward has helped since 2021, only 10% have returned to the homelessness response system.
Additionally, Jenkins said that homelessness factors into the growth of the county.
“Homelessness hurts growth, and growth is how we pay for the things that families need without putting additional burdens on existing taxpayers,” Jenkins said. “We need Dallas County to be a place where people choose to live and businesses choose to invest. Addressing homelessness is part of ensuring our future.”
Looking ahead
Early voting for the Nov. 3 election runs Oct. 19-30. Election Day is Nov. 3.
If the proposition passes, the tax rate for Dallas County will be $0.248650 per $100 valuation. If the proposition fails, the tax rate reverts to the voter-approval rate of $0.224650 per $100 valuation.
