The Incredible Success of the Bridge
In 2004, when the City of Dallas presented its 10-year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness which included a recommendation to build a new homeless facility in the city, it faced fierce opposition from the business community opposed to locating services near the central business district. Citizens had doubts about the City’s ability to manage an increasing homeless population, and they criticized the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance’s nonjudgmental philosophy toward their clientele.
Today, however, that facility--The Bridge-- receives praise from its former opponents and also from churches, businesses, government, and law enforcement. It is a successful model that is the envy of other cities.
The strategic plan has reduced crime 25 percent in The Bridge’s neighborhood. It has eased the burden on the jail and hospital system as clients enter rehab programs with greater success. The clients who enter into housing with supportive services (called Permanent Supportive Housing) through The Bridge, an astounding 93 percent become productive citizens.
A visit to the day shelter at The Bridge reveals a small village, with services that over 1,000 citizens utilize that are important for a client to have hope and dignity: computer lab services, education, recreational activities, laundry services, a library, mail services, meals, personal hygiene care, and storage services.
The Bridge moves quickly to help its clients and provides care management services every week for more than 600 people. Clients may receive medical and behavioral health care coordination, jail diversion and reentry services, and job placement services. Since its opening, The Bridge has placed more than 650 people into housing and helped nearly 1,300 people find jobs.
More than 59 percent of Dallas voters approved The Bridge. The services it provides have surpassed expectations as hundreds of rehabilitated homeless citizens have been placed into transitional and permanent supportive housing with supervision. These PSH sites have outstanding reviews and success. The City of Dallas is being transformed by these restorative programs led by Mike Faenza, chief executive officer and president of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, and his incredible board of directors and staff.
Here is the untold story of The Bridge success:
Transitioning people experiencing homelessness from streets/hospitals/jails into housing, The Bridge has produced truly outstanding outcomes:
Decreased crime in The Bridge’s neighborhood.
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16% crime reduction in The Bridge’s neighborhood from 2008-2009 (evaluated by comparing January-March 2008 Police Department, City of Dallas crime statistics to January-March 2009 Police Department, City of Dallas crime statistics).
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Additional 13% crime reduction in The Bridge’s neighborhood from 2009-2010 (evaluated by comparing January-May 2009 Police Department, City of Dallas crime statistics to January-May 2010 Police Department, City of Dallas crime statistics).
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Decreased institutionalization.(hospitalizations/incarcerations) for people experiencing homelessness participating in Bridge transitional services.
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More than 60% of people participating in Bridge transitional services have a history of institutionalization (hospitalizations/incarcerations).
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Less than 10% of people participating in Bridge transitional services are institutionalized (hospitalized/incarcerated) while participating in Bridge transitional services.
Increased long-term residencies for people residing in permanent supportive housing.
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75% of people who have transitioned from streets/hospitals/jails to permanent supportive housing, throughout the Dallas area, maintain long-term residencies without cycling through homelessness and institutionalization (hospitalizations/incarcerations).
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93% of people who have transitioned from The Bridge to permanent supportive housing, throughout the Dallas area, maintain long-term residencies without cycling through homelessness and institutionalization (hospitalizations/incarcerations).
Transitioning people experiencing homelessness from streets/hospitals/jails into housing, The Bridge’s programs provide:
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Day shelter for more than 1,200 people experiencing homelessness per day including: computer lab services, educational/recreational activities, laundry services, library services, mail services, meals, personal hygiene services, and storage services.
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Day shelter services are provided in collaboration with Bridge Steps and First Presbyterian Church, Dallas.
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On-site night shelter for 325 people experiencing homelessness per night including: emergency shelter and transitional shelter.
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On-site night shelter services are provided in collaboration with Bridge Steps.
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Off-site night shelter referrals/placements for more than 875 people experiencing homelessness per night including: emergency shelter and transitional shelter.
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Off-site night shelter referrals/placements are provided in collaboration with Austin Street Centre, Dallas Life, The Salvation Army, and Union Gospel Mission.
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Care management services for more than 600 people experiencing homelessness per week including: health/behavioral health care coordination, jail diversion/reentry services, job seeker services, and housing seeker services.
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Care management services are provided in collaboration with Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA), Bridge Steps, Criminal Justice (Dallas County), Housing Department (City of Dallas), Metrocare Services, Police Department (City of Dallas), Transicare, Veterans Affairs, and WorkForce Solutions Greater Dallas.
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Health/behavioral health care services for more than 600 people experiencing homelessness per week including: screenings, acute disease care, chronic disease care, mental health/chemical dependency/dual diagnosis services, and recovery services.
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Health/behavioral health care services are provided in collaboration with APAA, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Metrocare Services, Transicare, and Veterans Affairs.
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Jail diversion/reentry services for more than 600 people experiencing homelessness per week including: shelter services, care management services, community service coordination, and probation/parole coordination.
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Jail diversion/reentry services are provided in collaboration with Bridge Steps, Criminal Justice (Dallas County), Police Department (City of Dallas).
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Job seeker services for more than 150 people experiencing homelessness per week including: employment activities for able persons and employment activities for disable persons.
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Job seeker services are provided in collaboration with LifeNet Community Behavioral Healthcare and WorkForce Solutions Greater Dallas.
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More than 600 people per year access employment through The Bridge’s job seeker services.
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Housing seeker services for more than 150 people experiencing homelessness per week including: affordable housing searches, permanent supportive housing searches, and transitional housing searches.
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Housing seeker services are provided in collaboration with Bridge Steps and Housing Department (City of Dallas).
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More than 300 people per year access long-term housing through The Bridge’s housing seeker services.
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