The Dallas County Commissioners Court has revived a proposal to ask residents to vote on a property tax increase intended to generate $150 million for homeless services across the county. After initially rejecting the measure in a divided 3-2 vote on Tuesday, commissioners reconsidered following confusion over the wording of the original motion. In a second vote held five hours later, the court approved advertising the proposed tax rate increase, a necessary step before it can appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Commissioner Theresa Daniel, who was previously a vocal supporter of homeless initiatives during her 14 years in office, was among those who initially voted against the tax increase alongside Commissioners John Wiley Price and Elba Garcia. Daniel cited uncertainty about Dallas County’s responsibility in addressing homelessness as her reason for opposing the measure. However, after the executive session and citing confusion about the proposal’s wording, she switched her position to support advancing the tax vote. Daniel has not publicly elaborated on her change of stance.
If approved by voters, the tax increase would raise the property tax rate from the current 21.55 cents per $100 of property valuation to 25.31 cents, resulting in an approximate annual tax of $886 on a $350,000 home, up from $754. The county must begin the advertising process by Tuesday due to state law requirements and the upcoming August 11 court meeting, after which the final ballot measure will be determined.
Advocates for the tax increase emphasize the urgency of addressing homelessness through comprehensive services. Sarah Kahn, CEO of Housing Forward—a regional agency coordinating homeless response efforts—stated that additional funding would support rental assistance, substance abuse treatment, and other services across Dallas County. Kahn pointed to a reported 93% success rate among nearly 24,000 homeless individuals served by Housing Forward since 2021 who did not return to homelessness. County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins and Commissioner Andrew Sommerman also supported the tax proposal, highlighting the cost homelessness imposes on county resources, including the jail and Parkland hospital. Sommerman cited data showing that the unsheltered population accounted for thousands of repeat jail bookings and tens of thousands of hospital visits, arguing that a dedicated tax is an investment in public safety and economic development rather than charity.
Opponents, including Price and Garcia, argued that homelessness should not be the county government’s responsibility, especially given residents’ financial challenges with rising living costs. Price questioned where such funding requests would end if nonprofits begin approaching the government for various social needs. Garcia echoed concerns about the scope of county duties and called for a focus on core government responsibilities.
The court previously allocated $10 million in January to support Housing Forward’s Street to Home Initiative, which aims to assist 1,100 more homeless individuals and prevent the return of tent encampments in key areas of downtown Dallas. This funding was matched by contributions from the Dallas City Council and private donors.
In parallel, a coalition of childcare advocates has proposed a separate 3-cent property tax increase to fund childcare scholarships and expand infant and toddler classroom capacity. However, the Commissioners Court did not discuss that proposal during this session, with advocates indicating they will consider next steps.
Jenkins expressed concern that unaddressed homelessness could worsen population declines in Dallas and the surrounding county, citing perceptions of reduced quality of life and public safety as factors in people relocating elsewhere.
If the tax measure moves forward, Dallas County voters will decide in November whether to approve the property tax increase to fund expanded homeless support services.