Title
Consider/Discuss the Draft Better Together Strategic Plan
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Goal 5: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
5.3: Develop sustainable quality of life improvements within the City of McKinney
MEETING DATE: November 3, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community Development Department
CONTACT: Margaret Li, Housing and Community Development Director
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Staff recommends that the City Council receive a presentation on the goals and strategies included in the draft Better Together Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan).
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This work session item provides the City Council with an opportunity to review the goals and strategies contained in the draft Better Together Strategic Plan to address issues associated with homelessness in McKinney.
• The Strategic Plan builds upon the findings from the Needs Assessment and input from four working groups:
1. Businesses and Property Owners
2. Housing and Economic Development Professionals
3. Service Providers and Faith Organizations
4. City Staff and First Responders
• The Strategic Plan aims to address the root causes, lived experiences, and impacts of homelessness in the community through the following eight goals:
1. Prevent Homelessness and Housing Instability
2. Increase Economic Stability and Self Sufficiency
3. Expand Shelter Options Across the Homelessness Continuum
4. Establish a Coordinated Regional Response System
5. Create a Low-Barrier Access and Navigation System
6. Strengthen Behavioral Health and Criss Response
7. Optimize Community Safety and Encampment Response
8. Build Sustainable Capacity and Investment
• Following this discussion, the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) will work with staff to finalize the Strategic Plan and develop an Implementation Plan that will detail specific action steps, timelines, responsible parties, required resources, and performance targets. The final Strategic Plan and implementation plan will be brought back to the City Council for consideration and approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• On October 21, 2025, the City Council adopted the Better Together Initiative’s Guiding Principles to guide the city’s efforts to address issues associated with homelessness. On March 3, 2026, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with UTD for facilitation services for the Better Together Initiative.
• On July 21, 2026, UTD provided City Council with a presentation on the Needs Assessment which provided a comprehensive overview of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of homelessness in McKinney.
• Since July, UTD hosted a series of meetings with the working groups to identify priorities and refine the draft goals and strategies. In addition, UTD conducted an unhoused neighbor survey to gain insight from individuals that are currently experiencing homelessness; as well as a public survey that was used to solicit feedback on potential goals and strategies. On September 3, 2026, UTD conducted a community input session to provide participants with an opportunity to affirm, question, or challenge the draft goals and strategies.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• The impacts of homelessness is estimated to cost taxpayers approximately $9-15 million annually. Approximately $1.6 million of those costs are incurred by the city through Emergency Medical Services and law enforcement activities.
• Implementation of the strategic plan will have financial implications that will be discussed in more detail in the forthcoming Implementation Plan.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• On October 12, 2026, the administrative draft Strategic Plan was reviewed by the internal steering committee, which is comprised of Councilmember Beller, Councilmember Cloutier, and city staff.