Moving On From Tent City - It's All In The Timing

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DALLAS (CBSDFW) - The hundreds of men and women living under I-45 near downtown Dallas are well aware of the city's plans to move them out next month. Some of Tent City's residents have gone to Dallas Life shelter. Others prefer to stay outside and have moved to two other encampments nearby.

"You can always find people who want to do their own thing," says Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zach Thompson. "They don't want to abide by the rules of the shelter, so that is the challenge."

Others, though, are moving on to permanent housing. Kerry has been living in Tent City for almost a year and learned yesterday that he can move into his own apartment in Southern Dallas.

"I cried," says Kerry, "I shed tears. I thanked the Lord."

Kerry moved into the tent under I-45 after spending nine months in jail "fighting a case." He says when he got out, he had nothing left but his car. "It hurts a man's pride to be down here."

Thompson has been coming to Tent City everyday for about a month and spent Easter Sunday morning with the people under I-45. He says not everyone is ready to move on. Clarity is needed in order to imagine the possibility of another option and it takes courage to make that possibility a reality.

For many of the people living in Tent City, things are fuzzy due to mental illness, trauma, substance abuse and alcoholism. Sometimes, he says, catching them on a "good day" can make all the difference, meaning "they've eaten, they've taken their meds, they're feeling good. If they are ready to go, you need to move them into a location immediately," says Thompson.

For some, this turning point will happen before May 4th. For others, it may never happen. Those who do find their way clear to get out of Tent City will succeed, Thompson says, if they maintain connections with family and others willing to help and follow up "monthly, weekly, as needed. It's not that you have to hold their hand every day, but they are going to need mentorship."

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