UNDER 1 ROOF

In Dallas County alone, there are an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 people sleeping on the streets, in shelters, cars, and other dangerous places every night. The homeless are families with children, veterans, seniors, and individuals with physical or mental conditions. The 2019 Point in Time
Count conducted by the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance revealed a growth in homeless in Dallas.
The data reflected an increase of 9% in Dallas and Collin counties. The chronically homeless population has grown by 11% in the last year. Some cities that found no homeless people in last year’s census – Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Allen, and Nevada – had counts to report in 2019.

According to the Community Foundation of Texas’s Dallas Economic Opportunity Assessment, 65% of Dallas County residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing-related costs. Nearly 1 in 4 Dallas County residents are in jobs with a median annual income of $25,000 or less. Approximately 25% of residents have little or no assets.

Under 1 Roof addresses these issues by offering homeless families the opportunity to improve their environment and live with stability, autonomy, and dignity. We provide a continuum of services, including permanent supportive housing and social services to low-income individuals and families in Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties. These are families who are experiencing both an immediate housing crisis and long-term housing needs. Case managers work one-on-one with clients to better understand their situation, provide basic needs, and offer educational opportunities to work toward self-sufficiency. Programs include:

• Supportive housing
• Case management service
• Emergency rent or utility assistance
• Financial empowerment sessions
• Transportation support
• Legal services

Continuum of Services

Supportive Housing - Supportive housing combines affordable housing with social services to help individuals and families cope with the daunting challenges they face each day. Under 1 Roof coordinates with the DHA and other community partners to provide permanent housing to homeless families and individuals at designated locations throughout Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties. In exchange for rent and utility-free housing, program participants are required to work full-time and obtain a GED, training certificate, or college degree. Clients are provided access to a comprehensive network of services, including job training and placement opportunities, a social enterprise system, family and youth programs, financial education, substance abuse treatment, and childcare.

Emergency Rent or Utility Assistance – Financial assistance is provided to families who are in danger of losing their homes due to past due rent or utility bills. Clients provide proof of pending eviction or termination of service to qualify for assistance. Under 1Roof pays vendors directly.

Case Management – Each Bachelor’s and Master’s Level Social Work Intern provides case management to as many as 15-20 clients at any given time. They are trained in crisis resolution counseling and provide a continuum of services:
• Provide support services to new and existing participants.
• Develop and update an individual service plan with each participant.
• Educate program participants on housing requirements.
• Track education classes, job status, and financial position.
• Conduct monthly office and home visits.
• Ensure compliance to all program requirements.
• Refer and connect participants to community resources.
• Help clients develop a strategy for self-sufficiency.
• Provide counseling and information about benefits available through state and federal programs.
• Teach clients how to access program sites to determine if they qualify.

Financial Empowerment Sessions – Program participants are required to attend financial skills workshops covering topics that include budgeting, setting financial goals, implementing strategies to reduce and eliminate debt, increasing savings, and rebuilding credit.

Transportation Support - Bus passes are provided to program participants when available.

Legal Services – Under 1 Roof offers quarterly legal workshops where U1R clients can schedule individual face-to-face meetings or consultations with U1R attorney. They may also request representation in court to prevent evictions when needed.

The mission of Under 1 Roof (U1R) is to provide permanent supportive housing and support services to homeless and low-income individuals and families in Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties.

In 2011, Under 1 Roof began its first housing program with five donated apartment units in Oak Cliff. Families received transitional housing and basic support services. The following year, in collaboration with the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA), Under 1 Roof began providing vouchers for scattered site-based housing throughout Dallas County, increasing the number of clients U1R was able to serve.

In early 2014, Under 1 Roof expanded its services by offering rent and utility assistance to prevent eviction. Later that year, a new collaboration allowed U1R to implement Phase II of the Permanent Housing Program and augment the number of apartment units available for U1R clients. A case management component was added to serve new and existing clients better.

In recent years, Under 1 Roof has benefited from new community partnerships such as the United Way, University of North Texas, and The State Fair of Texas. These relationships have resulted in increased community engagement, new sources of funding, educational opportunities, and improved infrastructure.