2024-022 Promoting Responsible Community Giving June 14,2024 Report No. 2024-22
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Homeless Response Initiative: Promoting Responsible Community Giving
BACKGROUND:
Solicitation Ordinance
City staff provided a presentation on City Ordinances related to solicitation in a City Council Work
Session on April 18, 2023 (ID22-1281). The presentation included an overview of possible
solutions to address an increased number of aggressive solicitation and panhandling concerns
expressed by the community. One solution presented was to promote fundraising efforts for the
Denton County Homeless Coalition's Barriers Fund by placing signs throughout the city providing
an opportunity to utilize a QR code, which provides information on how to give directly to the
Denton County Homeless Coalition's Barriers Fund.
Denton County Homeless Coalition
The Denton County Homeless Coalition's Barriers Fund launched in 2018, helps prevent and
divert households from experiencing homelessness. While the Denton County Homeless
Coalition's Barriers Fund is a county-wide initiative, the City of Denton has annually allocated
funding to the Barries Fund which is administered by United Way of Denton County. Initially, in
2018 the amount allocated to Barriers Fund from the City of Denton was $40,000; however, in
2022 the Community Services Advisory Committee recommended increasing the amount to
$80,000.
The Barriers Fund has assisted hundreds of households in Denton County with maintaining
housing and rapidly exiting homelessness. It covers essential needs to support housing stability,
including critical documents, employment and training, health care, household basic needs,
income/housing support, and transportation. Eligible households apply for Barriers Fund
assistance through local nonprofit agencies and receive up to $1,000 over 12 months. The below
graphic displays the total number of households assisted over the lifetime of the Barriers Fund and
the average amount of assistance requested in Denton County.
Updated
HOMELESSNESS BARRIERS FUND IMPACT 2 3.31.24
64Z 1_.� J_
HOUSEHOLDS ASSISTED
AVERAGE REQUEST 0 COS) E- $604.85
The Denton County Homeless Coalition's fundraising and advocacy committee regularly engages
in fundraising activities to support the impact of the program.
June 14,2024 Report No. 2024-22
DISCUSSION:
Encouraging responsible giving to a well-established network like the Denton County Homeless
Coalition may help deter panhandling and increase awareness of local opportunities for assistance.
To facilitate responsible giving and raise awareness, the City will install informative signage that
provides information about the opportunity for giving. Signs will direct people to the City's
website where they can learn how donations to the Denton County Homeless Coalition directly
assist households at risk of experiencing homelessness, and how the City invests in homelessness
response. Donations through the QR code will go directly to United Way of Denton County.
Staff researched signage from other cities and collaborated with the City Attorney's Office and
Marketing and Communications departments to design appropriate signage
This approach will showcase the City's collaborative strategy with our nonprofit partners to tackle
homelessness and housing instability head-on. Through this coordinated effort,we can continue:
• Consistent Support: Professional service providers can offer continuous care and
assistance, helping individuals achieve stability and independence.
• Foster Long-term Solutions: By addressing the root causes of homelessness and housing
insecurity, we can work towards sustainable solutions that benefit the entire community.
The following locations have been identified for signage based on the number of Engage Denton
requests and outreach conducted by the Police Department's Homeless Outreach Team:
1. Interstate 35 and Loop 288 Intersection(near Golden Triangle Mall)
2. Interstate 35 and 380 Intersection
3. Highway 380 and Loop 288 Intersection
4. Interstate 35 and Mayhill Road Intersection
5. Loop 288 and entrance into Walmart Parking Lot Intersection
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June 14,2024 Report No. 2024-22
A coordinated community engagement campaign has been developed to notify the public of the
signage and its purpose before signs are placed at the above locations. The estimated timeline and
specific activities are outlined below:
Activity Date
Informal Staff Report 6/14/24
Present to Denton County Homeless Coalition 6/26/24
Update City Website Content 6/28/24
Install Signs July 2024
STAFF CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Homeless Programs Manager
REOUESTOR:
City Manager's Office
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
3 hours
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:
City Attorney's Office
Marketing and Communications