Dallas approves $10 million contract with Housing Forward to expand 'street-to-home' efforts

The Dallas City Council on Dec. 10 authorized a one‑year, sole‑source contract with nonprofit Housing Forward not to exceed $10 million to expand the city’s street‑to‑home program, intended to move people from shelter into permanent housing and free up shelter capacity.

Councilmembers and community leaders debated the plan for more than two hours before approving the measure. Supporters said the funding is necessary to sustain shelter exits and to bridge an anticipated federal funding gap, while critics complained the item appeared on the calendar with limited committee briefings and pressed for clearer long‑term plans.

City Manager Kimberly Beiser Tolbert said the city included the $10 million in the FY25‑26 budget and described the contract as part of a broader housing pathway strategy the council previously discussed. Tolbert told the council the phase‑2 investment “is estimated to serve about another 425 plus individuals” directly with rental assistance and supportive services, and that the city’s contribution is expected to leverage additional private and county dollars.

Housing Forward’s CEO Sarah Khan told the council her organization tracks outcomes after housing subsidies end and cited community performance data showing high sustained housing rates. “The data demonstrates that 92 to 93 percent of the individuals since 2021 have not returned to homelessness after their subsidy has ended,” Khan said, describing the program’s post‑assistance tracking.

Nonprofit leaders who spoke at the meeting urged approval. Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc., said the program has helped reduce visible encampments downtown and urged the council not to defer the item: “Please continue the strong support and leadership that you have here to ensure the $10,000,000 that was approved in the budget for this ongoing work,” she said.

Opponents, including Councilmember Jennifer Mendelson, argued the city should have convened fuller briefings on how the money would be spent and urged the council to consider alternative investments, such as tiny‑home pilots or more emergency shelter beds. Mendelson raised concerns that the funds are ARPA dollars and asked how the city will sustain supports once one‑time funds are spent.

Council discussion repeatedly returned to implementation details: how many people would be served, how the money would be divided between rental assistance and case management, and what metrics will track success. City staff said the contract allocates about $6.6 million for rental assistance, roughly $2.4 million for case management and services, and about $1 million for partner nonprofits and administrative support.

The council approved the item in a roll‑call vote, with 14 voting in favor and one opposing, allowing the city manager to execute the contract and obligate the funding. The city manager and Housing Forward said they will report back to council on outcomes and performance measures as the work proceeds.

The contract authorizes the city manager to finalize contract terms and to execute all documents required to implement Phase 2 of the street‑to‑home initiative. The work is scheduled to roll out as housing placements and supportive services are stood up; staff said the city will continue efforts to leverage private and county funds to extend the program’s reach.