The McKinney City Council convened on November 19, 2024, to address several pressing issues, with a significant focus on homelessness and affordable housing. The meeting highlighted the complexities surrounding homelessness, emphasizing that it is often mischaracterized as solely an individual flaw, overlooking systemic market-based causes.

A key discussion point revolved around the notion that while addiction and mental illness contribute to homelessness, they do not fully explain the persistent trends observed nationwide. Many individuals experiencing homelessness remain \"invisible,\" falling outside the reach of traditional surveys and support systems. These individuals often earn too little to afford housing yet too much to qualify for assistance, illustrating a critical gap in the safety net.

The council member likened the situation to a game of musical chairs, where the diminishing availability of affordable housing leads to increased homelessness. Citing Minneapolis as a successful case study, the speaker noted that an increase in housing stock correlates with a decrease in homelessness, suggesting that McKinney could benefit from similar strategies.

The discussion also revealed a growing gap in McKinney's housing stock for low-income households, which has risen from 3,716 units in 2020 to 5,145 units in 2023. This shortfall underscores the urgency for the city to meet its housing goals. The potential acquisition of the Kinstead Apartments by the McKinney Housing Authority was presented as a promising opportunity to enhance the affordable housing supply and combat homelessness.

The council concluded the session by acknowledging the broader affordability crisis affecting Collin County, positioning McKinney as a potential leader in addressing these challenges. The meeting emphasized the importance of increasing affordable housing stock to support vulnerable populations and foster community stability.