The City of Dallas will contribute some of its CARES Act funding to Catholic Charities Dallas to help that organization purchase a hotel on 635-LBJ. The property will first be converted into a shelter for people who have become homeless because of COVID-19, then eventually used as supportive housing for anyone who has been homeless.
“I’m very proud to have this project in my district,” said Dallas City Council Member Lee Kleinman. “ I’m very excited about providing some housing for our homeless population in the city and contributing to the solution.”
Catholic Charities Dallas and Catholic Housing Initiative will purchase the Gateway Hotel Dallas Park Central at 8102 LBJ Freeway, just west of Central Expressway. The four-story building has 180 rooms. The Dallas City Council has approved using $2 million in CARES Act funding for the project. Dallas County will contribute $8 million.
Residents of the facility will be provided with food and access to full-time case managers.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and welcoming home for people displaced by COVID-19 and beyond, and then ensure they receive the care, compassion and resources to get back on their feet again,” said Dave Woodyard, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Dallas.
The facility will be called St. Jude Center - Park Central. Catholic Charities Dallas plans to eventually convert it from a COVID-19 facility to supportive housing for anyone who has been homeless.
The deal to purchase the property should close in early December, with Catholic Charities of Dallas providing services starting in the middle of December. City officials expect the facility to operate as a homeless shelter for former COVID-19 patients for at least six months.