The Cottages at Hickory Crossing is a collaborative project between CitySquare and other social services organizations that understand housing is the only solution to homelessness. Each of the 50 400 square foot cottages will house the most expensive homeless neighbors in the city of Dallas.
A resident of The Cottages is an adult from Dallas County who has an Axis I mental health diagnosis (bipolar, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia or schizo-affective), has a history of involvement in the Criminal Justice System, has a history of homelessness and as a result of these previous issues, are high utilizers of Dallas County Resources such as 9-1-1 calls, ambulance services, emergency room services, police engagement, county shelter services, incarceration for violations like trespassing, vagrancy, public intoxication, panhandling, etc. Combining all of these issues results in being disqualified from the majority of all other housing options. The individuals selected to live at The Cottages truly are the most vulnerable to dying on the streets and most expensive consumers of public services of the approximately 2,000 chronically homeless in Dallas.
The Project Partners are Metrocare Services , Central Dallas CDC, UT Southwestern and the Dallas County Criminal Justice. The goal of the project is to develop and implement Texas’ premier model of Housing First, providing:
- On-site access to most services… including high-quality mental & medical healthcare and social services.
- Integration of services… a team approach to housing, healthcare and social services.
- Improved behavioral health and physical health outcomes… and quality of life of individuals served by the program.
- Cost savings to taxpayers… through reduced expenditures on public safety, behavioral health and healthcare.
- Ongoing research and evaluation… of program and clinical outcomes to guide future programs.
Want to help decorate a Cottage?
Here’s how! Follower the Decorate and stock a cottage and Provide household and personal items for a neighbor to help make a home move in ready.
To make buying easier, all items can be found on our Target Gift Registry.
(First Name: CitySquare Last Name: Cottage)
Click here to learn more about The Cottages at Hickory Crossing project and ways to donate and volunteer.
I have severe depression along with PTSD that I’m trying to deal with. I’m 60 years old and I’m going from shelter to street. I’m tired and running out of hope. I can’t do this much longer. The streets are cold and dangerous. Please Please Please help me.