Dallas County voters narrowly rejected Proposition A, which would have raised property taxes to generate about $100 million a year for homelessness services. Results cited Wednesday in a statement from Housing Forward CEO Sarah Kahn and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins showed 48.13% support and 51.87% opposition. According to the county, the average homeowner would have paid an estimated $60 more per year. The funds were meant for emergency shelter, supportive housing, mental health and substance-use treatment, and other programs.
Advocates have not identified a single reason for the result. Kahn said cost-of-living concerns likely played a role, and voter education may also have been a factor. Election results reviewed by NBC 5 show about 80,000 voters who cast ballots did not vote on Proposition A. Kahn said the high turnout made it hard for supporters to reach many voters.
Kahn said Housing Forward will keep working on homelessness. Current Street to Home resources will move the last people being served with those funds into housing in January. Housing Forward plans to work with local and state governments, businesses, philanthropic groups and other private partners to find sustainable funding. Kahn also said homelessness already carries a public cost through people cycling in and out of jails and hospitals.