This week the hot topics at the Dallas City Council meeting included housing for the homeless, the amount of money in the bank and how the city can utilize the funds to help the community. They also discussed how the City can strengthen the partnership with Greyhound bus services.
The homeless problem in Dallas is not improving simply because Tent City was recently dismantled. Chronic unemployment, mental health and other issues are contributing factors of why many find themselves looking for a place to live.
Mayor Mike Rawlings has a solution, “We need more facilities to shelter homeless people, they are citizens as well and we need to treat them like they are and they matter to the community.”
In order to help the homeless, there is one thing that is critically needed: money. Right now, the city of Dallas has around $2.6 million in the bank. The money in the bank can be used to build new facilities, like parks, shopping centers, museums and other things. However, it was suggested that first in order to make sure that Dallas becomes a better place, Dallas should focus on facilities dedicated to getting the homeless off of the streets.
Reportedly, the city will have nearly $3 million in the bank. However, at least $1 million of the $2.6 million will go away if it is not used before the fiscal year ends.
Greyhound has been helping travelers for 101 years. Headquartered in Downtown Dallas at 350 North St. Paul St., the city council discussed investing money to Greyhound improve their facilities for technology and transportation. Greyhound plans to invest their own $244 million to buy new buses as well as refurbishing their 1,900 bus fleet. They also plan on improving two of their local passenger terminals located on 205 South Lamar and 624 Westmoreland Rd.
