Dallas County property tax hike for homelessness falls short
Voters rejected Proposition A with 51.87% of the vote, leaving local leaders to seek private funding after the measure failed to pass.
By Alexei Brooks ·
Property tax rates in Dallas County will not increase this year. Voters rejected Proposition A, a measure designed to generate roughly $100 million annually for homelessness services, with 51.87% voting against it and 48.13% in favor.
The proposal, which county officials said would add an estimated $60 to the annual tax bill for the average homeowner, failed to secure a majority. The funds were intended for emergency shelter, supportive housing, and mental health and substance-use treatment programs.
Sarah Kahn, CEO of Housing Forward, cited cost-of-living concerns as a likely factor in the defeat. She also pointed to voter education gaps, noting that approximately 80,000 voters who participated in the election did not cast a ballot on Proposition A. Kahn stated that the high turnout made it difficult for supporters to explain the proposition to every voter.
Kahn noted that the organization remains committed to its mission despite the loss. "The election's over, but obviously the work isn't," she said. "Our commitment to ensuring that people are not forced to live on our streets has not changed." She added that the coalition will continue bringing public and private partners together to find sustainable funding.
The immediate financial impact is already visible. Current Street to Home resources will move the last individuals currently being served with those funds into housing in January. Kahn explained that the group now plans to work with local and state governments, businesses, and philanthropic organizations to identify new sources of money.
Kahn argued that the public already pays for homelessness through high costs in jail and hospitals. "I think we've heard that residents know they're already paying for this, just in the most expensive way possible, as people cycle in and out of jail and hospitals," she said. Housing Forward maintains a public dashboard tracking the region's homelessness response and the number of people moved into housing.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, who supported placing the measure on the ballot, issued a separate statement acknowledging the result. He described Proposition A as an investment in public safety and the local economy. "I believe it was a chance to make our neighborhoods safer, strengthen our economy, and improve quality of life for all Dallas County residents," Jenkins said. "While this isn't the outcome I hoped for, my commitment to building a safer, stronger Dallas County remains unchanged."
Housing Forward will continue its operations while seeking new financial partners. The organization stated it is open to conversations with government and private sector entities to determine the next steps for funding homelessness services in the county.
