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DALLAS - The City Council on Wednesday approved the Dallas R.E.A.L Time Rapid Rehousing Initiative, a regional governmental and civic partnership that includes the City of Dallas, Dallas County, Dallas Housing Authority (DHA), Cities of Mesquite and Plano, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA) and the local Continuum of Care (CoC), known as the Homeless Collaborative of Dallas and Collin Counties.
“Homelessness is one of our city’s most pressing issues,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said. “But the City of Dallas cannot and should not try to solve this complex problem alone. We need a bold, decisive, and collaborative approach to helping our most vulnerable residents get back on their feet quickly. This plan and this partnership provide us with an incredible opportunity to ensure greater equity and provide pathways to better lives for thousands of people in our city. I look forward to working with the City Council, city staff, and our partners to implement this strategy. Together, we can build a better future for our city and all of our people.”
The City Council approved the program through votes on three items:
- An interlocal agreement between the City of Dallas and Dallas County, giving the County permission to send $23.6 million in ARPA Treasury funding to the City for/and assign 124 EHVs, worth an estimated $1.4 million to the initiative.
- An interlocal agreement between the City of Dallas and DHA, giving the Dallas Housing Authority roughly $32 million for the operation of rental subsidies and administration.
- A sole-source agreement between the City of Dallas and MDHA as the project lead for the initiative, giving MDHA roughly $18 million to competitively bid out to area providers who will provide case management services to program participants.
“We need to acknowledge all of the partners who have worked tirelessly to operationalize this effort,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. “This is a partnership of historic proportions, involving governmental entities, private organizations, shelter operators, faith organizations, and advisory boards like the Dallas Area Partnership and the Citizen Homelessness Commission. The way that all of these entities have united in their support to address homelessness through the DRTRR initiative is crucial to its success moving forward.”
The initiative was first announced on June 23, 2021, as a $60 million joint public/private effort meant to house over 2,600 people experiencing homelessness by the end of September 2023, pending City Council approval. In the weeks since the initial announcement, the partnership has grown to an estimated $72 million in commitments, which would serve over 2,762 unsheltered individuals.
“Today is a great day for Dallas,” said Peter Brodsky, Interim CEO for MDHA. “If you want to see a city’s priorities, look at its budget. The overwhelming support of the Dallas City Council for this Initiative sends a clear message to people experiencing homelessness in our community: you are a priority. MDHA would like to express its thanks to the City of Dallas for its belief and for its partnership in this monumental Initiative. MDHA looks forward to the DRTRR putting us one step closer to making homelessness in our community rare, brief, and non-recurring.”
The broad coalition formed to address the increasingly visible homelessness crisis in the region. The funding will come from an array of sources, including:
- Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) provided by the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), with the City of Dallas and Dallas County each contributing roughly $25 million;
- Dallas Housing Authority for North Texas (DHA), Dallas County and the City of Mesquite contributing 100% of the vouchers they receive under ARPA (490, 124 and 41 vouchers, respectively);
- Another 103 EHVs donated by other cities, worth an estimated $12 million;
- And $10 million in funds raised by nonprofit Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA).
In addition, agencies in the Homeless Collaborative of Dallas and Collin Counties’ will provide direct services to people experiencing homelessness.
The Initiative will serve domestic violence survivors, families and individuals with more significant health issues through the 758 EHVs with ongoing supportive services. An additional 2,004 individuals experiencing homelessness will be provided housing with rent paid for 12 months. During that year, case managers will assist clients with services they need to stabilize their lives, address health issues, and find employment. National Data regarding Rapid Rehousing programs shows that most people do not return to homelessness after being afforded the opportunity to get back on their feet.
Jorge Baldor, Chairman of the Board for DHA, stated, “we are glad to be a partner in this Initiative, which will improve the quality of life for our unsheltered neighbors. This is of critical importance not only because of the unprecedented amount of housing it will provide but more importantly because the combination of rapid rehousing and Emergency Housing Vouchers will allow us to house people with a wide range of issues, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Following the City Council’s approval, the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Dallas and Dallas County will go before the Dallas County Commissioners Court for final approval on September 7, 2021.
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