Residents Looking For New "Homes" After Tent City Closure
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Threats of arrest apparently were enough to clear out an area in Dallas known as Tent City. The people living in the homeless camp under an Interstate-45 overpass packed their bags and moved out before today's deadline.
But where has everyone gone? Case managers are now working to help people find places to stay and homeless shelters aren't necessarily a viable option.
On Tuesday, crews finished cleaning up the place where at one time, hundreds of Dallas' homeless lived.
The homeless encampment has been a source of concern for police and Dallas City leaders. In February, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) agreed to place "no trespassing" signs on the property.
City officials say the decision to shutdown Tent City was made after several acts of violence – including the stabbing murder of a man living at the encampment.
With many of the city's shelters at capacity, leaders are looking for alternatives for the disenfranchised residents. Some advocates have suggested using vacant Dallas buildings to provide services and temporary shelter.
One poverty-fighting non-profit group is also working to move some of the homeless into a community of cottages near the Interstate-30 and I-45 interchange.
The social services organization CitySquare is opening a community of 50 small homes. The Cottages at Hickory Crossing are expected to house some of the homeless with the most serious mental health and social service needs.
At one time as many as 500 people called Tent City home. According to the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA), there are nearly 4,000 homeless individuals living in Dallas and Collin County.
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