STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Housing & Homelessness Solutions
AGENDA DATE: October 26, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Homeless Solutions
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
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SUBJECT
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Authorize (1) the City Manager to amend Resolution No. 18-1158, previously approved on August 22, 2018 to include approval of the FOUR-TRACK STRATEGY proposed by Office of Homeless Solutions, implement track one (Increase Shelter Capacity - expand capacity of existing providers through contracted pay to stay shelter beds); and (2) adopt or approve the proposed updates as presented to the Housing & Homelessness Solutions Committee on September 29, 2022 - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
Established on October 1, 2017, the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) prevents and intervenes in homelessness by combating the complexity of homelessness with effective and efficient solutions. The City of Dallas has intensified its longstanding efforts to assist and serve persons experiencing homelessness, reduce the number of persons experiencing homelessness, and reduce the impacts of homelessness on communities and businesses in Dallas.
OHS has collaborated with the Citizen Homelessness Commission (CHC) to establish the Homeless Solution Strategy, which currently consists of the following four tracks: Track 1 - Increase Shelter Capacity; Track 2 - Temporary Shelter Centers; Track 3 - Master Lease/Landlord Incentive Program; and Track 4 - Bond Implementation. OHS is also coordinating with the Dallas Area Partnership as it relates to Track 4 (Bond Implementation) to lead the financial support and investment strategy to increase supportive housing and wraparound services.
In 2018, OHS briefed City Council via memorandum on a proposed Homeless Solutions Strategy to address homelessness in the City of Dallas. In this proposal, four tracks are used as a framework to provide habitable living environments for the unsheltered while developing the infrastructure for sustainability by increasing the long-term supply of affordable housing. The Homeless Solution Strategy currently provides:
• Track 1: Increase Shelter Capacity - Expand capacity of existing providers through contracted pay-to-stay shelter beds.
• Track 2: Inclement Weather Shelters - Allow private & faith-based organizations 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).
• Track 3: Landlord Subsidized Leasing - Provide security deposits, rent, utilities, and incentives to tenants as well as incentives and risk mitigation services to participating landlords.
• Track 4: New Developments, Prop J 2017 Bond - Funding for permanent supportive housing targeting chronic homeless; rapid rehousing addressing the elderly, disabled, families with children and young adults; Day Centers for seamless wrap-around services.
By Resolution No. 18-1158, the City Council authorized the implementation of Track 1 (Increase Shelter Capacity) to expand capacity of existing providers through contracted pay-to-stay shelter beds. The existing emergency shelter system is consistently full night after night and does not have capacity to shelter additional homeless persons. To preserve and protect the public health and safety of unsheltered homeless City residents, additional shelter beds must be funded to address the lack of shelter capacity.
On September 29, 2022 the Housing and Homeless Solutions (HHS) Committee was briefed on the proposed modifications to the four-track strategy, which was developed following budget listening sessions held during June and July 2022. OHS staff presented the feedback from the sessions to the CHC, the HHS, and the Dallas Area Partnership.
Proposed revisions to the FOUR-TRACK STRATEGY as briefed by OHS to City Council via memorandum in 2018, are as follows (with the changes in the text indicated by underlining and bracketing):
• Track 1: Increase Shelter Capacity - Expand capacity of existing providers through contracted shelter overflow programs [pay-to-stay shelter beds].
• Track 2: Inclement Weather Shelter[s] Centers - Allow entities with Chapter 45 Temporary Inclement Weather Shelter permits [private & faith-based organizations] 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 the summer months) as led by the City.
• Track 3: Subsidized Supportive Housing [Landlord Subsidized Leasing] - Provide security deposits, rent, utilities, and incentives, and supportive services to further the alleviation of poverty to tenants as well as incentives and risk mitigation services to participating landlords.
• Track 4: Investments in Facilities Combatting Homelessness [New Developments, Prop J 2017 Bond] - Funding or low barrier housing types, to include [for] permanent supportive housing targeting chronic homeless; rapid rehousing addressing the elderly, disabled, families with children and young adults, ensuring that program participants are in compliance with requirements of their housing applications; Day Centers for seamless wrap-around services
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Human & Social Needs Committee was briefed on the Immediate Solutions Implementation Plan” May 7, 2018.
The CHC was briefed on the “OHS-proposed Homeless Solutions Strategy” on May 10, 2018.
The HHS was briefed on the “Homeless Solutions Proposed Strategy” on May 21, 2018.
The HHS was briefed on the “Homeless Solutions Proposed Strategy” on June 4, 2018.
The CHC was briefed on the “OHS-proposed Homeless Solutions Strategy” on June 14, 2018.
The HHS was briefed on the “Homeless Solutions Proposed Strategy” on June 18, 2018.
City Council was briefed on the “OHS-proposed Homeless Solutions Strategy” on August 1, 2018.
On August 22, 2018, City Council authorized the City Manager to implement Track 1 of the Homeless Solutions Strategy to increase shelter capacity by contracting for shelter beds by Resolution No. 18-1158.
The Housing & Homelessness Solutions Committee was briefed on the “FY 22-23 Budget Listening Session Feedback” on August 22, 2022.
The Housing & Homelessness Solutions Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on September 29, 2022. <https://cityofdallas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11263913&GUID=E902D6B1-5ACA-4A4F-933E-ED37E5797B46>
City Council was briefed be memorandum regarding this matter on October 7, 2022. <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdallascityhall.com%2Fgovernment%2Fcitymanager%2FDocuments%2FFY%252022-23%2520Memos%2FOffice%2520of%2520Homeless%2520Solutions.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Crenita.griggs%40dallas.gov%7Ca08b2b3fa9f544da0d1308dab37f0d59%7C2935709ec10c4809a302852d369f8700%7C0%7C0%7C638019655500651181%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KvFG%2FUXeDgg8xW%2FQf9LPxwN1nmPYb0NjfvHypskrmsQ%3D&reserved=0> The memorandum is on the findings of the budget listening sessions and ensuing proposed modifications to the Homeless Solutions Strategy.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.