The Homeless Engagement Initiative connects customers to information and referrals for emergency shelter, housing programs, transportation, family reunification, government benefits, food security and other social services. The Help Desk is staffed daily on the 1st floor of the J Erik Jonsson Central Library to engage with customers experiencing homelessness. 

Engagement and Relationship Building

• Programs to engage unhoused patrons, providing positive social interactions and inclusion

• Coffee & Conversation

• Artful Fridays

• Game Days

• Volunteer opportunities for the unhoused

• Maintaining partner relationships to encourage customers to engage with wraparound services and make appropriate referrals

Awareness

• “On the Block” podcast featuring the unhoused and providers

• Active participation in coalition meetings to stay abreast of supportive services and initiatives for the unhoused population

• Partnering with OHS in target neighborhoods to host meetings about OHS’s role and community effort to address homelessness

• Creating programs that naturally blend customers that are housed and unhoused

• Recruiting volunteers to help with HEI services

Partnerships

• Office of Homeless Solutions

• Office of Integrated Public Safety

• Office of Community Care

• Office of Emergency Management

• Downtown Dallas, Inc.

• Housing Forward

• The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center

• Our Calling

• CARDBoard Project

• Austin Street Shelter

• Dallas Life Shelter

• Union Gospel Mission