Homeless population in Dallas wondering what they will do if bill banning homeless encampments passes
DALLAS - Texas state lawmakers are one step closer to banning homeless encampments.
A bill initially passed by the state House earlier this month was approved with minor revisions by the Senate Thursday.
If the House approves those revisions, the bill will head to the governor’s desk, and that will affect Dallas’ growing homeless population as lawmakers are working to ban encampments on public property throughout the Lone Star State.
[REPORTER: What would you say keeps you from going to a shelter? ] Being locked up, Sherlene Griffith responded. You can’t do what you want, when you want.
Our Calling working to get homeless people in Dallas out of the life-threatening cold weather
Our Calling working to get homeless people in Dallas out of the ‘life-threatening’ cold weather
Our Calling is working with the city of Dallas to get people experiencing homelessness off the streets and into the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, or hotels and shelters.
DALLAS - Our Calling is working with the city of Dallas to get people experiencing homelessness off the streets and into the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, or hotels and shelters. So, I’ve been working with the homeless in downtown for over 20 years, and we have not had this kind of weather since the last time the Super Bowl was here, said Pastor Wayne Walker, with Our Calling.
“The problem is everyone is going to want to get out and play in it, so I’m hoping they play in their own yard, and not try to get out on the roads and ride around because that’s where the hazard is,” Hemrick said.
He said he was keeping an eye on the forecast to make sure people who wanted to get COVID-19 tests Sunday don’t get stuck.
“In my facility, we run a regional COVID-19 testing center. We’re trying to make decisions right now on whether or not to bring those people in tomorrow for testing,” Hemrick said.