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."