The Bridge is actually a facility housing many different services, all aimed at ending homelessness. The money to build the facility came from a $23.8 million bond authorization Dallas residents approved in 2004. The nonprofit Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance operates the Bridge.
What so special about the Bridge? It provides a wide range of services under one roof usually provide by separate agencies in different locations. For example, the Bridge provides:
- Day shelter for about 1,200 people;
- On-site night shelter for about 325 people;
- Various care management services for about 600 people per week;
- Care management services—including behavioral health care, primary health care, and storage—for 600 people per week;
- Jail diversion and reentry service for 600 people per week;
- Job seeking service for more than 75 people per week; and
- Housing seeking services for 75 people per week.
That’s a lot of services, but are they working? They seem to be, according to Next American City, which reported:
- Crime dropping in The Bridge/Farmers Market Neighborhood,
- About $3 million in savings from reduced jail stays,
- An improved quality of life for people experiencing homelessness,
- Over 1,500 jobs placements, and
- 982 housing placements from May 2008 to March 2011.
