Helping the homeless of North Texas achieve full financial independence

Far too many people across Dallas County experience homelessness. The most recent point-in-time count by the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance in February 2021 reported that about 4,100 individuals in Dallas County were homeless.

DHA is part of a North Texas partnership to provide shelter to half of Dallas County’s homeless population by 2023. The goal is to provide 2,600 individuals with permanent or temporary housing and support so they can become self-sustaining.

DHA is committing resources to this partnership in two ways:

• Contributing 490 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) that were granted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Supporting the Rapid Rehousing Program focused on helping 2,000 homeless individuals with temporary assistance for up to 12 months.

Their Stories

Many success stories have been made possible through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. A strong example is Mr. Samuels, a U.S. Army veteran who was injured during his service and sustained limited functionality of his left arm and hand. 

Mr. Samuels was able to get access to resources from the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. His VASH counselors helped him gain access to the HCV program, disability benefits, find a job, re-establish his credit and find an affordable place to live. After successfully renting for three years and paying all his bills on time, he is now a proud homeowner.

Another individual, Mr. Taylor, found support through DHA’s HCV program. Impacted by the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Mr. Taylor lost his home following the Category 5 hurricane and relocated to Texas. Once entering the program, Mr. Taylor and his family were focused and determined to become self-sufficient and provide better opportunities for their children. 

Mrs. Taylor attended nursing school and is now a successful full-time RN and Mr. Taylor has established a career in retail. 

The HCV program support and their hard work has empowered the family to become 100% self-sufficient. Mr. Taylor credits the HCV program for helping him and his wife establish their financial independence, and also ending generational poverty in his family as they are no longer in the HCV program.

How Landlords Can Help

The 490 Emergency Housing Vouchers that are part of the North Texas Coalition to Reduce Homelessness will help support those experiencing homelessness, including families and survivors of domestic violence. With the Emergency Housing Voucher, there are incentives for landlords and additional financial support for participants, which includes funding to pay:

• Application fees 
• Moving expenses 
• Utility deposits 
• Damage mitigation fees 
• Security deposit
• And a landlord incentive payment to lease to qualified Emergency Housing Voucher applicants

If you are interested in learning more about this program and how you can hep, please connect with us:

LLServices@dhantx.com