Greater Dallas Homeless Policy Alliance members include: Dallas City Council member Jerry Allen, Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia, Criminal District Judge John Creuzot and Dallas Housing Authority President and CEO MaryAnn Russ.

Allen, chairman of the Greater Dallas Homeless Policy Alliance, spoke on Nov. 16 at a news conference at Dallas City Hall about the need for government agencies and the private sector to work together to address homelessness. MDHA has a goal of providing 1,800 additional homes by 2015 that include services such as counseling and treatment to help formerly homeless residents remain in housing.

Dr. Garcia said that the policy alliance will work to ensure that people receive necessary mental health services despite the challenge of recent state funding cuts and a growing need for care. “This group is going to work together to be sure that mental health services continue to be delivered in the way that has to be done,” Garcia said.

Judge Creuzot said the number of jail inmates with mental health needs also has risen.

“We struggle with the costs associated with of housing these folks in the county jail, and we’ve got to have better solutions,” he said.

Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance board chairman George Ellis emphasized that more housing is needed. He said it costs less to provide mental health care and housing than to allow chronically homeless people to continue to cycle through psychiatric treatment facilities and jail.

“As a citizen, it’s the right thing to do -- and from an economic, rational hard-sense bottom line perspective, it’s the only thing to do,” Ellis said.

Mike Faenza, president and chief executive officer of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, thanked policy alliance members for their volunteer service.

“Standing up for the poorest of the poor, and committing yourself publicly to a mission that is about the welfare of children and families and unaccompanied teenagers, combined with the fact you’re putting in the time into understanding the hardship of homeless on a personal level is a gift to this community and to all of our homeless neighbors,” Faenza said.