The McKinney City Council's recent work session spotlighted a pressing issue: homelessness in the city. Housing and Community Development Director Margaret Lee delivered a comprehensive update on the current state of homelessness, revealing a slight increase in the homeless population to 233 individuals, marking an 8% rise over the past four years. This contrasts sharply with neighboring Dallas and Collin counties, which have seen a 19% decrease attributed to effective public-private partnerships.

Lee emphasized the multifaceted nature of homelessness, noting that the city operates under two definitions: those without a permanent residence and those in temporary housing at risk of losing their homes. The upcoming Point in Time Count, scheduled for January 23, aims to provide a clearer picture of the homeless population, although it has its limitations.

Significant achievements over the past year include preventing 471 residents from becoming homeless through various programs and providing emergency assistance to 170 unhoused individuals. The city has also allocated an additional $50,000 in funding this fiscal year, bringing the total available for grants and services to $450,000, plus $60,000 from the community development block grant program.

The newly formed McKinney Homeless Coalition, which meets quarterly, is focused on enhancing collaboration among city departments and partner organizations. Lee highlighted the need for more affordable and permanent supportive housing, as well as improved outreach and data collection efforts.

Looking ahead, the city plans to launch an \"end panhandling\" campaign during the holiday season and will explore partnerships with faith groups to bolster resources for warming stations and emergency shelters. The council's commitment to addressing homelessness remains strong, with ongoing evaluations of programs to ensure they effectively meet community needs.