DALLAS (Feb. 12, 2025) – With temperatures expected to dip below freezing tonight, two Dallas agencies that serve the homeless are banding together to protect vulnerable, unhoused individuals from the potentially fatal temperatures.
Austin Street Center, one of Dallas’ largest 24/7 emergency shelters, and OurCalling, Dallas’ largest daytime outreach center and street outreach ministry, are joining forces to open Austin Street’s former, now unused facility, located at 2929 Hickory St. in downtown Dallas, at 3:00 p.m. today.
The shelter is large enough to accommodate 350 homeless individuals, and shelter guests will receive meals, restroom facilities, and safe shelter.
Austin Street Center will oversee intake and meals for the shelter, while OurCalling will manage the day-to-day operations, including security and guest care. This collaboration follows the City of Dallas’ Office of Homeless Solutions activation of its Inclement Weather Policy, which is triggered when overnight temperatures are forecast to drop below 32 degrees.
To make certain homeless individuals are alerted in a timely fashion, OurCalling is using its proprietary technology known as the Homeless Emergency Broadcast System to send text messages instructing them to head to the Inclement Weather Shelter.
Additionally, the Connector Bus, operated by Austin Street Center in partnership with other local homeless service agencies, will provide free transportation to the shelter from designated pick-up points. OurCalling will also enhance its Street Outreach efforts, traveling under overpasses and into wooded areas to locate individuals and bring them to safety.
NOTE: Austin Street Center CEO Daniel Roby and OurCalling CEO and Pastor Wayne Walker are available for joint or individual interviews. Media are welcome to conduct interviews and live shots outside the facility.
CALL TO ACTION PUBLIC: The public is invited to visit ourcalling.org/cold or austinstreet.org/weather to volunteer or make a resource or financial donation.
LOCATION: Austin Street Center’s former, now unused facility, located at 2929 Hickory St. in Dallas
ABOUT AUSTIN STREET CENTER
For more than 40 years, Austin Street Center has worked tirelessly to bring an end to homelessness in North Texas. As one of Dallas’ largest emergency shelters, Austin Street provides basic needs and essential support services such as onsite education and employment services, individualized case management, a medical respite program, and access to permanent housing. Austin Street serves two highly vulnerable populations – men 45 and older; and women 18 and older, many of whom also suffer from addiction, victimization, or the unexpected loss of resources. Austin Street’s mission is to provide safe shelter and meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless. Austin Street Center’s goal is to ensure that every homeless person who comes to Austin Street finds hope, support, and the resources they need to transition out of homelessness. Last year Austin Street served more than 2,600 individuals and more than 500 individuals were placed in housing. Learn more at austinstreet.org.
ABOUT OURCALLING
OurCalling is a nonprofit ministry, founded in 2009, dedicated to serving the unsheltered homeless community in Dallas County. OurCalling operates a daytime outreach center which offers various unique services to Dallas’ homeless population, including a zero-barrier entry (no ID required), daily meals, showers, laundry, clothing services, and the opportunity to meet with Care Ministers who aim to help individuals off the streets. OurCalling’s facility also brings in services provided by community partners such as Parkland, North Texas Food Bank, and the Veterans Association. OurCalling’s street outreach teams visit our unsheltered homeless neighbors where they are – under bridges, in the woods, behind abandoned buildings – building relationships and ministering to their tangible needs. In 2024, OurCalling facilitated 1,318 placements which helped individuals get off the streets. Learn more at ourcalling.org.
