The City of Dallas is considering innovative housing solutions, including tiny homes and pallet shelters, as part of its ongoing efforts to address homelessness.
A recent meeting of the Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee highlighted discussions around these housing options, following a prior engagement between committee members and a group of philanthropists focusing on homelessness initiatives.
Patrick St. Mary, the territory sales manager with Pallet, presented a briefing on communities specifically designed for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Since the establishment of the first Pallet Safe Stay Community in 2021, Pallet has expanded its reach, constructing over 135 villages across 29 states.
These villages are frequently operated by nonprofit organizations such as Catholic Charities and United Way, aiming to provide a safe and transitional living environment.
According to St. Mary, individuals residing in these shelters typically stay for an average of six months to one year, with around 60% successfully transitioning to permanent housing.
Pallet offers shelters that range in size from a single 70 square foot sleeper to a more spacious two-bedroom 120 square foot unit.
Additionally, each village typically features essential amenities, including restrooms, laundry facilities, and community spaces for social gatherings.
St. Mary detailed the financial aspect of establishing a Pallet village, stating that the one-time cost is approximately $1.2 million.
Moreover, the shelters can be dismantled and stored when no longer required, offering flexibility in their usage.
The average nightly cost to house an individual is about $91, although the largest Pallet site in Tampa, Florida operates at a remarkably lower nightly rate of $25.
St. Mary assured the committee that Pallet could assist Dallas in identifying methods to reduce costs associated with these shelters.
During the meeting, concerns were raised by Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Moreno and Council Member Lorie Blair regarding the durability of the shelters, particularly their resilience against high winds.
In response, St. Mary emphasized that the shelters are constructed from non-organic materials and can be securely anchored to withstand adverse weather conditions.
Council Member Chad West, who attended the meeting despite not being a committee member, expressed that addressing homelessness is a shared concern among council members.
He emphasized the significant impact of homelessness and stressed the collective ambition to find permanent housing solutions, rather than just temporary relief.
“At the end of the day, most of us believe our goal is to get people permanently off the streets, not just temporarily off the streets,” West noted.
St. Mary highlighted Pallet’s commitment to hiring individuals with personal experiences of homelessness, substance use, and incarceration, allowing them to contribute to shelter design while acquiring valuable manufacturing skills.
In a related initiative, OurCalling, a Dallas-based organization, is planning to establish a community of 500 tiny homes on a 280-acre tract of land near Ferris, Texas.
Wayne Walker, CEO of OurCalling, shared that the project will involve 25 neighborhoods centered around communal gathering spaces.
Walker mentioned that the organization has researched more than 70 tiny home communities to formulate effective long-term care solutions for vulnerable populations.
The community aims to offer comprehensive services in one location, including pharmaceutical, food, and Veterans Affairs resources.
OurCalling provides assistance to approximately 10,000 individuals in Dallas County, collaborating with 15 partner agencies to primarily serve those experiencing homelessness.
Besides the planned tiny home community, the organization operates an outreach center near downtown Dallas, which offers essential services such as laundry, showers, food, and phone charging stations, along with free WiFi.
Walker emphasized that their faith-based organization does not impose any religious requirements on those they serve, focusing instead on fostering a healthy community.
“Our vision is for all neighbors to be in a healthy community,” he stated.
The approach taken by both Pallet and OurCalling reflects a growing awareness of the complexities of homelessness and the necessity for solutions that not only provide shelter but also promote dignity and long-term stability.
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