Title
Consider/Discuss the 2026 Annual Homelessness Update
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
CONTACT: Margaret Li, Housing and Community Development Director
Shirletta Best, Community Services Administrator
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Staff recommends that the City Council receive a presentation regarding the 2026 Annual Homelessness Update.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Work Session presentation will include an overview of the previous fiscal year and highlight upcoming efforts for the current fiscal year to address homelessness.
• According to the 2026 Point In Time (PIT) Count, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of McKinney was 240 (0.10% of the total population). Since 2021, the percentage of individuals experiencing homelessness has remained steady at 0.1% of the total population. During the same timeframe, the Continuum of Care (Dallas and Collin County) also maintained a similar percentage of 0.1%.
• The City Council budgeted $550,000 in FY 2025-26 of which $330,000 was used to support efforts in addressing homelessness under the Community Support Grant (CSG), including programs such as the FlexFund/LIFT Program ($40,000) and Homeless Prevention/Legal Aid ($50,000). The remaining $200,000 from the McKinney Public Facilities Corporation (MPFC) was allocated to the McKinney Voucher Program (MVP).
• In addition, the city received $1,252,537.31 in funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME); of which $1,071,072.31 was allocated to public services, housing rehabilitation, and the Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program.
• To provide a more comprehensive approach towards addressing the community’s needs relating to homelessness. The city contracted with University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) for the Better Together Initiative (BTI) to conduct a series of public engagement meetings, develop a needs assessment, and develop a strategic plan that addresses the root causes, lived experiences, and community impacts associated with homelessness.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The annual PIT Count conducted on January 22, 2026, identified 240 sheltered and unsheltered individuals. However, this statistic does not take into account individuals that are facing housing instability; such as individuals living at a friend’s house.
• The McKinney Homeless Coalition (MHC) conducts monthly meetings with service providers and city staff to address the needs of our homeless population. Over the past year the MHC appointed a Chairperson and Executive Committee; developed bylaws; and established multiple subcommittees (Strategic Planning, Street Outreach, PIT Count, and Public Education). The MHC is working toward 501 c(3) status. City staff transitioned the city’s street outreach pilot program, SOAR (Street Outreach Ambassador Resources), to the MHC. The SOAR program aims to connect service providers with unhoused families and individuals in need of public services and to serve as an added resource to the community.
• Local and federal funding were awarded to service partners to provide legal services, financial assistance, counseling services, transportation, navigation services, housing/shelter, food/supplies, and employment/education to eligible households experiencing homelessness, or those at-risk of homelessness.
• In September and October 2025, three ordinances were adopted by the City Council to extend enforcement options to address the impacts of homelessness: Camping Prohibition, Physical Occupancy within Downtown Public Spaces, and Aggressive Panhandling. In October 2026, the City Council renewed the ordinances for an additional year as the BTI progresses.
• On October 21, 2025, the City Council adopted the BTI’s Guiding Principles to guide the city’s efforts to address issues associated with homelessness. The Initiative encompasses a multi-month process, to unite local and regional governments, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, businesses and residents, in a coordinated, data-informed collaborative effort, to address the impacts of homelessness. The final strategic plan and implementation plan will provide a roadmap for the city to address the complex issues surrounding homelessness.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• To support efforts to address homelessness the City Council budgeted $330,000 in FY 2025-26 under the CSG; to fund activities including the Flex Fund/LIFT Program and Homeless Prevention/Legal Aid. An additional $20,000 was made available for Transit Services. In addition, $200,000 from the MPFC was used to support the MVP that provides housing vouchers for seniors transitioning from the TBRA program to permanent housing.
• The city received $1,252,537.31 from HUD, of which $1,071,072.31 was allocated to fund public services, and the city’s housing rehabilitation and TBRA programs.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A