Audit: Dallas homelessness increasing, city not monitoring funds properly
The number of people living on Dallas streets is increasing and FOX4 has learned that a new audit found the city may be part of the problem.
The audit found the city is not properly monitoring the organizations responsible for reducing homelessness and it's giving one of those organizations millions of dollars.
Michael Przekwas, a Cedars resident and member of the Cedars Neighborhood Association, said he doesn't need to see a study to know there are more homeless.
"Overflow from The Bridge, which is right there, overflow from the Stew Pot, and Austin Street Shelter, and the overflow from Our Calling, all congregate in the neighborhoods and cause a lot of quality of life issues,” Przekwas said.
Przekwas says litter and loitering aren't the only problems for his neighborhood just south of downtown.
"Public urination and defecation. People have sex in public. It's the constant looking over your shoulder. Not everyone is a criminal, but there is opportunistic crime,” Przekwas said.
In the confidential summary obtained by FOX4, City Auditor Craig Kinton wrote: "The City of Dallas cannot tell how well the homeless response system is performing and needs to improve oversight of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, and The Bridge."
Dallas City Councilman Philip Kingston, whose district includes most of downtown Dallas, wasn’t pleased.
“I'm very concerned, it appears to me that we've put millions of dollars into the same approach, and it isn't working, in fact, it seems to be getting worse,” Kingston said.
Kingston wants the city to take over some of the responsibilities it's been outsourcing to non-profits.
"You look at the results we've been getting for the money we've been spending and you know something is not working,” Kingston said.
The Bridge and Metro Dallas Housing Alliance both said they could not comment on the audit findings or any corrective measures they may have taken since they have not seen the final audit.