The Hidden Signs of Homelessness
We all know what homelessness looks like. People living on the street, in tents or under overpasses, asking for money—right? These are the most obvious signs of the housing crisis, and you can see them any time you drive through Dallas. But what about the side of homelessness we don’t see? People sleeping in their cars, staying with friends or living in motels may go unnoticed. Yet, they still need help. I recently met a man who changed the way I see the housing crisis. By sharing his story, I hope to shine a light on hidden homelessness in Dallas. When we can see the problem more clearly, perhaps we can work together to help solve it.
A few days ago, while exiting the Dallas North Tollway, I noticed a man standing quietly near the corner of the exit ramp. He made no loud plea for help, but simply held a small piece of cardboard with a handwritten message. It read: “Do I have to look like a bum to be homeless? God bless you.”
It was true. He didn’t look homeless. The man was nicely dressed, with his T-shirt tucked in, hair brushed, and a clean pair of shoes. If I had seen him at a gas station or to-go counter, I would assume he was just like me, picking up a quick snack or drink before heading home for the day. I would never have suspected that when he left, he had no place to go. It made me wonder how many people were just like him, struggling to find a place to sleep each night.
According to the 2025 point-in-time count for Dallas, there are 3,541 people experiencing homelessness in the City, showing a decline from last year’s count of 3,718. Yet at the same time, reports to the City of Dallas 311 hotline regarding homelessness rose 45% over the past three years, suggesting that more hidden or unreported cases exist.
Struck by the man’s tidy appearance as well as his sign, I wanted to do something to help. I made a quick stop at a nearby coffee shop and returned to the intersection to give him a cup of coffee, along with a little cash and one of the care packages I keep in my car. Then I asked if he had a moment to talk.
He nodded, seeming surprised that I wanted to engage him in conversation beyond a passing greeting. He introduced himself as Nick, and told me he works whenever and wherever he can, doing tasks like washing dishes, unloading delivery trucks, and cleaning office buildings after the staff have gone home for the day. He picks up every shift he is offered, but between unpredictable hours, low pay and the rising cost of rent, the money he earns just isn’t enough.
Nick hasn’t always been homeless. In fact, he had a reliable place to stay until just a few weeks ago, when he was evicted after falling behind on just one month of rent. Now, he lives in his car. At night, he parks in a quiet area of town, hoping not to be noticed. In the morning, he showers at work before his shift and gets dressed in clean clothes so that he doesn’t, in his words, “look like a problem.”
After chatting for a few minutes, Nick thanked me—and then he said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Most people only help when you’ve clearly hit rock bottom. But when you’re still fighting to hold on, they assume you don’t need it, and that’s actually when the help could make the biggest difference.”
Nick’s words stayed with me long after I drove away. On the surface, the housing crisis seems highly visible. However, many people living through housing loss are not. There may be thousands of people in Dallas just like Nick—people who are still working, still showing up for their families, still trying to maintain their dignity while sleeping in cars, couch-surfing, or rotating between cheap motels and temporary vouchers. These people may never stay in shelters, show up in court, or cross paths with law enforcement—and as a result, they may never be counted. Like Nick, they are still fighting. They’re just doing it in a way that is less visible than we expect, and because we don’t see it, we aren’t able to help them.
Why Hidden Homelessness Matters
Living without secure housing places people at great risk—especially when there are children involved. Health risks, disruptions to education and a lack of stability can cause lasting problems.
Meeting Nick reminded me that just because someone doesn’t appear to be struggling, it doesn’t mean they don’t need help. It also reminded me not to judge someone just because they are unhoused. Many issues can cause someone to lose their housing. Common causes include:
• Unexpected loss of income
• Medical issues
• Rapid rent increases, leading to eviction
• Domestic violence or family conflicts
• Systemic issues, such as racial disparities
I know that I can’t solve the problem of homelessness alone. However, with the help of others, I believe we can make a difference. I created Escape Eviction as a practical solution to one of the direct causes of homelessness: being evicted from one’s home. If our organization can help one family bridge a temporary gap in income to avoid homelessness, we will be making an immeasurable difference.
How We Can Help
Here are a few meaningful ways that, as a community and through our organization, Escape Eviction, we can act:
• Support programs that recognize people living in vehicles or motels as at-risk of homelessness.
• Prevent evictions early: Aid with rent or utilities, connect families to resources before they lose their homes, and raise community awareness about signs of housing instability.
• Volunteer with outreach teams: Work alongside agencies like Housing Forward to identify households experiencing hidden homeless and get them connected to resources.
• Raise funds and awareness: Many homeless households fly under the radar—helping them often means smaller, quicker interventions (providing transportation, storage, and short-term aid).
• Advocate for systemic change: Support affordable housing expansion and integrated responses to meet mental health, employment, and housing needs together.
Together, we can bring hidden homelessness into view—and take action to improve housing security in Dallas.
