Shelters overwhelmed by families seeking help from rising cost of living

Since April 2022, family homelessness has risen sharply across Tarrant and Parker counties, placing shelters across Fort Worth at or over capacity. So, how full are the shelters? According to the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, an average of 162 families are experiencing homelessness at any given time right now. 85 percent of those households are from Fort Worth. This time last year, that number was as low as 83 families. For example, Salvation Army’s family shelter usually has 60 beds available. Currently, the shelter is supporting 300 individuals in the shelter, overflow spaces, and hotels. That’s 385% over capacity. Wow, so what’s causing this surge in numbers? Officials are attributing several factors to this uptick in numbers. Expiration of the eviction moratorium, end of federal rental assistance, rent Increases and inflation are among the top causes. Friends and family that used to allow others to double up have been hit with economic pressures and are no longer able to share housing. What’s being done to address it? Officials are sounding the alarm on this concerning trend. Funding is being allocated to build more affordable housing across the city of Fort Worth. Mayor Mattie Parker said the city is looking for a property to convert into a shelter within the next three to six months to offer more space for families.

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