If you are homeless, or about to be, it helps to know where the doors are. This guide summarizes how the City of Dallas, Housing Forward and 2-1-1 Texas describe the way into help. Not every service is available in every community and some have waitlists. It is general information, not legal advice.
By the Exsura Team · October 17, 2026
2-1-1 Texas says: “If this is an emergency, please contact 911.” If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
SAMHSA says “911 is the primary contact for emergencies involving medical emergencies, fire, crimes in progress, or other situations requiring immediate physical intervention” and that “988 is for emotional and behavioral health support with minimal law enforcement involvement unless there is an immediate physical safety threat.”
The City of Dallas says that if you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, help is available. It lists these ways to connect:
For non-emergency assistance, the City of Dallas says to call Dallas 311. Housing Forward also says that if you are under age 25 and facing homelessness, you can complete a form on its help page for tailored resources, and a case manager will reach out.
The City describes a five-step process: connect, assess, prioritize, connect to services, and stabilize. In the assessment step, it says a trained professional completes an assessment through the Coordinated Access System (CAS) to identify needs. In the prioritize step, it says households are prioritized based on vulnerability and matched with the most appropriate resources.
Housing Forward says that through CAS, people experiencing homelessness are identified, assessed for their needs, referred to resources and connected to housing. It says CAS coordinates services from providers across Dallas and Collin counties. It says emergency shelters, street outreach and the Homeless Crisis Line are all CAS access points, and that coordinated resources are targeted to people with the greatest needs and barriers to exiting homelessness on their own, when possible.
2-1-1 Texas is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It describes itself as a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can dial 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to find information about resources in your local community, including food, housing, child care, crisis counseling and substance abuse treatment. Housing Forward’s help page also directs people who need rental or utility resources to call 2-1-1.
2-1-1 Texas has a page that introduces the range of housing options. It warns that not all options are available in every community and that, in most cases, services may have waitlists or may not be offered in your community, and that programs may have different eligibility requirements. Among the types it describes:
On identification, the 2-1-1 page says most housing options require an ID, and that to get a new Texas Identification Card an applicant must submit an application and fee to the Department of Public Safety and provide proof of U.S. citizenship, Texas residency, identity and Social Security number. It says some public libraries, faith-based agencies and other organizations may help people get the documents, and suggests the DPS homepage or calling 211.
SAMHSA’s housing page says to call 211 for local housing resources and, if you are in recovery from drugs or alcohol, to look for open spots in an Oxford House. For veterans, it lists the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
Keeping your housing may come down to deadlines. See Eviction in Texas: the notice to vacate and what happens next. For the local numbers, how many people are homeless in Dallas explains the annual count.
The City of Dallas lists the Housing Forward Crisis Helpline at 1-888-411-6802, which it says connects people to shelter, outreach teams, housing support and community resources. Housing Forward lists the Homeless Crisis Helpline as 888-411-6802. For non-emergency city assistance, the City says to call 311. In an emergency, call 911.
Housing Forward says that through CAS, people experiencing homelessness are identified, assessed for their needs, referred to resources and connected to housing, and that CAS coordinates services from providers across Dallas and Collin counties. It lists emergency shelters, street outreach and the Homeless Crisis Line as access points.
It is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905.
No. 2-1-1 Texas says not all housing options are available in every community and, in most cases, services may have waitlists or may not be offered in your community. The City of Dallas says households are prioritized based on vulnerability.
Sources last checked October 17, 2026. This article is general education, not financial, legal or medical advice. Rules, fees and programs change, so confirm details with the organization before you act.
Take the next step
Our resource directory lists free help across Dallas-Fort Worth, from food to crisis lines.
Take our free 7-question Financial Stress Check-In and get real next steps.
Start the check-in →Keep reading