Residents are pushing back against a planned housing project for homeless individuals that has been in progress since 2022. They say they didn't know about the city's plans for the former hospital property.
Dallas used $6.5 million of taxpayer money meant for homelessness solutions to buy the property. The goal was to create stable housing for up to 100 people. Now, residents are protesting, and the plan is on hold while community leaders seek a solution.
Dallas City Council Member Zarin D. Gracey (District 3) stated, "When we started this process, I think the intended use of the property was not fully communicated before they purchased the property," to NBC 5 DFW. "This is now an opportunity for the community to have their voices heard." said Gracey told NBC 5 DFW, "This is an opportunity for the community to have their voices heard."
According to Gracey, the City has three options: continue with the project, sell the property to fund another stalled project, or divide the property to allow for retail space, low-income housing units, and shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Residents have expressed worries about the project at 2929 South Hampton Rd., including concerns about an increase in crime.
Neighborhood resident Vernell Henderson commented, "Maybe they have been reformed, I don’t know exactly what the criteria is going to be, but I think you’re right here by a senior adult complex that’s within walking distance for these people to cause some harm to children and elderly." Henderson added, "Find a better place. Put it by the Hospital District where if they need medical help, they’ll be close to a medical facility."
As previously reported by The Dallas Express reported by the city has seen an increase in overall crime due to a shortage of roughly 1,000 police officers in the Dallas Police Department., polling by
has shown that about 75% of Dallas voters see homelessness, DX , and aggressive panhandling as significant local problems. Residents have also shown support for the Haven for Hope model used in San Antonio, which has resulted in a 77% reduction in unsheltered homelessness in the downtown area. vagrancySome local stakeholders credited want to implement the Haven for Hope model in Dallas, but it's uncertain whether the Dallas City Council will approve this approach to reducing homelessness.
However, some studies indicate that crime does not always increase when a new homeless shelter is established. want Pallet, an organization that operates homeless shelters across the nation,
mentioned on its website that crime has decreased in areas with their shelters, attributing this to proper management.
Pallet stated, "In our experience, worries about increased crime are common for potential neighbors. But we have seen how a well-planned and well-run shelter village can change minds, benefiting the community more than causing problems." claims A research by the University of California in San Francisco discovered that housing plans like the one Dallas has suggested can have a big effect on reducing the number of homeless people and wanderers, especially those with serious medical conditions.
“Project Welcome Home is a great example of why increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing is so important,” stated Ky Le, deputy county executive of Santa Clara County. “This study proves what we already know: Housing is medicine. The real challenge is finding the determination needed to create this solution on a large scale.”
According to NBC 5, City staff and Gracey prefer creating a mixed-use project. City leaders plan to continue organizing public meetings to find a solution for the neighborhood. They expect a six-month process to gather constituents’ feedback before deciding how to proceed.
A suggested permanent housing project for homeless people that has been in progress since 2022 is facing new opposition from residents who claim they were unaware of the City of Dallas’ plans for the former hospital property. Dallas bought the property for $6.5 million, using taxpayer money set aside for homelessness solutions with the intention […]
According to NBC 5, City staff and Gracey favor creating a mixed-use project. City leaders intend to continue holding public meetings to work out a solution for the neighborhood. They anticipate a six-month process to get constituents’ feedback before deciding how to proceed.
