Dallas (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church wants Dallas leaders to do more to help transients in need who may not qualify as being traditionally homeless. Reverend Charles Wolford said the need was so great in South Dallas, his church opened up a transitional home called “My Father’s House” to help.
He said its residents are not what most people would expect. “The hidden homeless are women are children who are not going to go up under the bridge who may have a car and they’re going to be living in their car for extended periods of time because they may still be working as well because they are just looking for some level of transition,” he said.
My Father’s House helps about twenty families each year but Wolfard said that number represents a small portion of what he considers a silent yet growing issue. Wolford and other advocates said the city could help by funding resources for this community, like second-chance living situations for transients with evictions on their records or other credit issues.
“Maybe having some stipends that would be available for families who meet a certain criteria but those funds would assist them getting access to a place so that they wouldn’t have to stay in their car,” said Wolford.
He suggested that the city also allot funding for organizations and churches like his that provide housing for this community.
Wolford said his church and other advocates are working hard to do everything they can to help the “hidden homeless” with the hope that city leaders and the Dallas community will ultimately follow their lead.
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