WHAT: In response to increasing concerns from Fort Worth business owners regarding the impact homelessness is having on the business community, a Homelessness Task Force was formed last fall. The task force developed a toolkit providing effective strategies and resources to help businesses mitigate the impact homelessness is having on their operations and find solutions tailored to their needs.
WHY: Recent data from the Chamber’s BRE surveys highlights homelessness as a top concern for businesses, particularly among small businesses, where it ranks as the current primary challenge. 65% of the 420 surveyed businesses identified it as impacting their daily operations in 2023.
WHO: The resources were created in conjunction with City of Fort Worth staff, business owners, Fort Worth Police Department, public improvement district leaders, and the nonprofit sector. This toolkit was created in partnership with the FW Hispanic Chamber, FW Metropolitan Black Chamber, Downtown Fort Worth Inc., Camp Bowie District, Near Southside, Inc., the City of Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Police Department.
WHEN: The toolkit is accessible in English and Spanish through the Fort Worth Chamber’s website here.
CONTACT ANGELA HALL FOR INTERVIEW INFORMATION: ahall@fortworthchamber.com
