ARLINGTON, Texas – Over the past few years, there has been a gradual increase in the number of homeless individuals. Amid this rise, there are many different types of organizations the homeless can turn to depending on their situation.
According to the Tarrant County Point In Time Count for 2024, 20 people were in Safe Haven, 196 were in transitional housing, 967 were unsheltered and 1,207 were in emergency shelters.
Arlington is the location for 10% of Tarrant County’s total homeless population, which is the second most in the area behind Fort Worth’s 81%. According to the Point in Time Count for 2024, there were 95 unsheltered homeless individuals in Arlington.
There are multiple organizations in Arlington that are around to help the homeless. For example, The Salvation Army, Mission Arlington and Safe Haven all dedicate services of one kind or another to the city’s homeless.
The Salvation Army at 712 W. Abram St. is a family life center that helps homeless families transition successfully. This specific location is run by Program Manager Princess Vonleh-Duo, who oversees a six-month program to help homeless families turn their lives around.
To get accepted into the program, there are some requirements. The first is that applicants must be a family with at least one child. Another requirement is that individuals have to pass a drug test before being allowed in, and they have to stay clean throughout the whole six months.
This program provides a room, a laundromat to wash clothing, three meals a day and helps clients put 40% of all their disposable income into saving accounts. The Salvation Army also helps with job searches and an interview program.
“Of course, you have to work in our program,” Vonleh-Duo said. “You have to work at least 35 hours a week because that’s the only way you can be able to gain self-sufficiency.”
Although The Salvation Army provides a lot for the homeless community, there are some things that it cannot do. Because of this, they get help from other organizations such as Mission Arlington.
“If they need assistance with some critical documents, like maybe the birth certificate or maybe the Social Security card or whatever, we do have a partnership with Mission Arlington,” Vonleh-Duo said. “We refer them there, and then they help them get a birth certificate, then they can be able to go to the Social Security Office and obtain the Social Security card.”
Mission Arlington is a faith-based organization that works with the church and other homeless operations to help people that don’t have a place to call home.
This organization was started in 1986 by Tillie Burgin and her husband. She has provided leadership for Mission Arlington, under God, since its inception.
“There’s a lady who needed some help who lived in an apartment,” Burgin said. “I just asked her. can we have a Bible study in your apartment at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning, and we’ll get your electricity turned on.”
That woman said yes to the Bible study, and now Mission Arlington has 350 different locations all around the Metroplex, but mainly in Arlington.
Mission Arlington is a volunteer-based organization. Ninety-eight cents of every dollar donated to Mission Arlington is used to give back to the people in some sort of way.
According to the Tarrant County 2024 Point in Time Count, one of the top reasons for homelessness was domestic violence. Safe Haven is an organization that helps protect those snared by domestic violence.
Safe Haven provides many services to victims of domestic violence, whether they are homeless or not. It provides shelter to those who need it. It also helps domestic violence victims by offering legal aid and counseling free of charge.
“That’s why we are here,” Vonleh-Duo said. “It’s not a lucrative job, but it’s fulfilling. You feel accomplished when you are able to put a smile on the face of someone or a little kid who has been sleeping in a car for weeks.”
For an interactive map showing the locations of The Salvation Army, Mission Arlington and Safe Haven in Arlington, Texas, please click here.
