Our Initiatives
The Office of Homeless Solutions Four-Track Strategy
OHS aims to prevent and reduce homelessness through a Four-Track strategy designed to address every facet of homelessness. The Four-Track strategy concurrently meets the immediate needs of the homeless population by providing habitable living environments, while developing the infrastructure for sustainability by increasing the supply of affordable housing.
Track One: Increase Shelter Capacity
Expand capacity of existing providers through contracted shelter overflow programs.
Investments
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Emergency Services: $610,876.50 (FY21-22. Expires on 9/12/2023)
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Emergency Services: $614,627 (FY22-23. Expires on 9/30/2024)
- ESG CARES Act: $1,000,000 (FY20-23. Expires on 9/30/2023) Overflow
- City of Dallas General Fund: $219,000 (FY 21-22) Pay to Stay
- City of Dallas General Fund: $219,000 (FY 22-23) Pay to Stay
Accomplishments
- Pay to Stay program provided 17,998 bed nights in FY21-22
- Pay to Stay program provided 18,251 bed nights in FY22-23 (as of July 31, 2023)
Track Two: Inclement Weather Shelters
Allow entities with Chapter 45 Temporary Inclement Weather Shelter permits to provide shelter on days when the actual temperature is less than 36 degrees (in winter months) or above 100 degrees during the day with an evening temperature higher than 80 degrees (in summer months) as led by the City.
Investments
- City of Dallas General Fund: $1,000,000 (FY22-23)
- ESG CARES Act: $632,977 (FY21-22)
- Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Treasury): $100,000 (FY21-22) COVID Testing
Accomplishments
- Over 1,500 bed nights provided to individuals experiencing homelessness, across 5 days of inclement weather, with the addition of a Lease Agreement with Austin Street Shelter to provide enhanced services in late 2022, early 2023.
- Over 5,000 bed nights provided to individuals experiencing homelessness, across 20 days of inclement weather, including 7 days at Fair Park, with support from Fair Park First / Spectra in early 2021, early 2022.
- 1,851 unsheltered persons served at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas during Winter Storm Uri, in 2021.
- City Council approval in November 2020 of amendment to Chapter 51A and creation of Chapter 45 for the creation of an Inclement Weather Shelter Program in the Dallas City Code.
Track Three: Subsidized Supportive Housing
Provide security deposits, rent, utilities, incentives, and supportive services to further the alleviation of poverty to tenants as well as incentives and risk mitigation services to participating landlords.
Investments
- ESG CARES Act: $6.9M (FY20-22)
- City of Dallas General Fund: $650,000 (FY21-22)
- City of Dallas General Fund: $650,000 (FY22-23)
Accomplishments
- Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program ($650,000) rental assistance through agreement with CitySquare, assisting an average of 27. households annually. This program has served 43 persons in FY22-23 (as of July 31, 2023).
- Rapid Rehousing Initiative ($6.9 million).
Track Four: Investments in Facilities Combatting Homelessness
Funding for low barrier housing types, to include permanent supportive housing, targeting chronic homelessness; rapid rehousing addressing the elderly, disabled, families with children and young adults, ensuring that program participants are in compliance with the requirements of their housing applications; and Day Centers for seamless wrap-around services.
Investments
Since 2020, the City has invested in acquisitions/renovation of property:
- City of Dallas 2017 Bond Program (Proposition J): $17.3 million
- Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF): $12.14 million
Property Management:
- ESG CARES Act:$1.67 million
- ESG (FY22-24): $700,000
RTR Initiative:
- RTR funding: $48.9 million
- Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Treasury): $25.1 million
- HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARPA): $19.4 million
- ESG CARES Act: $4.39 million
Accomplishments
- Contribution for property acquisition (CRF $2.0 million) and renovation (Bond $3.3 million) of St. Jude Center Park Central (180 beds).
- Acquisition (CRF $3.5 million) and renovation (Bond $2.3 million) of Fort Worth Avenue hotel (45 beds).
- Acquisition (CRF $6.63 million) and renovation (Bond $500,000) of referral-only shelter in District 12 (200 beds).
- Property Management agreements with referral-only shelter in District 12 ($2,411,856).
- Acquisition ($4.96 million) and renovation ($1.9 million for Phase 1 and $2.5 million for Phase 2/3 from Dallas County) of Independence Road hotel.
- Acquisition ($6.5 million) and renovation of Hampton Road complex.
Click here to see number of individuals housed through the Dallas R.E.A.L. Time Rapid Rehousing initiative, to date.
Public Engagement Reference Links
Peruse the links to explore public engagement opportunities:
Do you want to make a positive impact on our homeless communities? Visit our Get Involved page for resources to get you started.
See OHS’s Year In Review. Click here to download.