DALLAS (1080 KRLD)- The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance has reached a goal to raise $10 million in private donations for its plan to "re-house" 2,700 people over the next two years.
The "Real Time Rapid Rehousing Initiative" aims to provide a year's worth of rent to 2,000 people and provide emergency housing vouchers to 758 others who will need more substantial services.
"Every single stakeholder in this community has really gone all-in," says Dale Brodsky, chairman of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance.
The City of Dallas and Dallas County had each already pledged $25 million in American Rescue Plan funding for the project. The Cities of Grand Prairie and Mesquite are providing emergency housing vouchers.
In addition to rental help, Brodsky says people receiving funds can also receive job training, mental or physical health services and child care.
"The one thing I can guarantee you is this program is not about housing someone for a year and then, when the subsidy runs out, they return to homelessness," he says. "That would be a profound waste of resources."
Among donations was $50,000 from Downtown Dallas Inc.
"Our single greatest challenge downtown now has a solve," says President and Chief Executive Kourtny Garret.
Garrett says Downtown Dallas Inc. had already launched its own outreach programs, staffing a team to engage with the homeless daily.
"We recognize Downtown Dallas is to be a place that's welcoming for all in our city," she says.
Communities Foundation of Texas has committed $2 million in funding. Dave Scullin, the organization's chief executive says the money will fund rent but also one-time costs people will face as they exit homelessness.
"We're funding necessary start-up needs such as furniture and household items, housing support," he says. "Essentially, though, we're building the capacity for the non-profit organizations that have a track record for success. We believe activating this money will allow the expert service providers in this field to collectively do the hard work most effectively, and we're extremely grateful."
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance hopes to find permanent housing for the 2,000 people who receive a year's worth of rent by October of 2023.
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