Housing Forward Initiative Sees Decline in Homelessness

While the nation has seen the largest increase in homelessness since the pandemic, Dallas and Collin counties homeless population has decreased by nearly 5% over the past year, according to Housing Forward’s 2025 State of Homelessness Address held at the Winspear Opera House on May 20.

The decline is largely attributed to the city’s Street-to-Home initiative, which has transitioned 257 people from downtown Dallas streets into housing with behavioral health support. An additional 27 individuals with complex mental health needs were connected to higher-level care facilities.

A key strategy in this success, noted Housing Forward’s President and CEO, Sarah Kahn, has been the use of “diversion” — a critical tool of intervention helping nearly 3,000 households avoid shelters by connecting them with immediate housing alternatives and support services. Partnerships with the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute have been instrumental in this process, she said.

At the panel event, moderated by Dallas Morning News publisher Grant Moise, local leaders, including Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority’s Matt Roberts, and Metrocare Service’s Ikenna Mogbo, emphasized the importance of interagency collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare professionals, non-profits, and city leaders.

Kahn declared an “effective end” to street homelessness in downtown Dallas — meaning no one is currently living or sleeping outdoors in the area, although individuals experiencing homelessness may still be present.

This effort is part of a broader $30 million strategy involving Housing Forward, Downtown Dallas Inc., and over 150 partners in the All Neighbors Coalition, aimed at providing permanent housing, rental assistance, and mental health services. Since 2021, this coalition has achieved a 28% reduction in unsheltered homelessness and housed nearly 16,000 people.

Of the multi-agency responsibility and collaboration, Tolbert said, “There is a shared commitment … not one vs. the other … and all of the pieces are part of the big puzzle,” adding, “We cannot stop just because we see progress.”

Addressing sustainability, Housing Forward Board Chair Peter Brodsky reminded the audience of the dedication of advocacy groups and individuals. Peter Miller, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation, was recognized as one of the long-standing advocates, receiving a lifetime achievement award for his philanthropic efforts in reducing homelessness and championing for the implementation of methods rooted in dignity and compassion.

Said Miller in a video presentation shown during Tuesday’s event, “For every homeless person, there’s a story.”