DALLAS — Homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties cost about $198 million in 2023, a new study from Dallas County Health and Human Services found.
There were 4,410 individuals experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties, according to the 2023 Housing Forward Point-in-time count, the department found. Those individuals make up just 0.1% of the total population in Dallas and Collin Counties but cost $198 million in just one year, or $44,920 per capita.
The number of people experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties fell in 2023 by 4%, the report found. Chronic homelessness has decreased even more, by 32%, the report states.
Healthcare costs make up the bulk of the overall price of homelessness with about $49.4 in hospitalization costs alone, according to the report. In all, medical treatment costs $60.4 million. A homeless individual, on average, stays four nights more than an average hospitalized patient, the report said, increasing the overall cost of medical treatment.
The report determined the overall cost of homelessness using the known average cost of hospitalization, medical treatment, emergency room visits, incarceration and emergency shelters, according to the report.
The report suggests that if Dallas and Collin counties spent $70 million to house 2,700 homeless, it could create "a tremendous opportunity for significant cost savings without even considering the additional positive economic benefits of increased employment and tax revenues, police calls that do not result in incarceration, decreased clean-up and management of encampments, or reduced staff time needed for outreach, engagement and relocation."
