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UT Dallas summarizes McKinney homelessness needs assessment: 240 people identified; staff to craft strategic plan
Summary
A consultant presented initial findings from the Better Together needs assessment: an estimated 240 people experiencing homelessness in McKinney (about 42% family households), with an estimated community cost of $9M–$15M and direct city costs around $1.6M. Staff will develop a strategic plan and implementation timeline with public engagement.
The City of McKinney on July 21 received an initial needs assessment under the Better Together homelessness initiative from University of Texas researchers, who said the assessment found approximately 240 people experiencing homelessness and identified coordination and capacity gaps.
"On the scale of the issue, we have 240 people that have been identified in the point in time assessment," said Ted Benavides of UT Dallas. He said roughly 42% of those identified were family households with children, and that the city's homelessness rate is about 0.1% of the population and has been relatively stable. Benavides estimated total community costs related to homelessness between $9 million and $15 million and said the city's direct costs for law enforcement, emergency medical services and encampment response are about $1.6 million.
Benavides said community feedback (seven listening sessions and roughly 250 responses so far) emphasized insufficient shelter and housing capacity, a need for better coordination and transportation barriers; many service needs concentrate east of Highway 5. Staff will spend August–September working with stakeholder working groups to develop a strategic plan and public engagement program, with implementation planning and potential recommendations targeted for late 2026 and early 2027.
