Homelessness in McKinney: A Growing Concern
As concern mounts from downtown businesses owners and residents about homelessness, the McKinney City Council has sought to tighten rules on sitting and sleeping in public places, including in cars and in the city’s historic center.
But city leaders could not agree Tuesday on how to deal with an issue that’s stumped many parts of the country amid a national crackdown on homelessness.
The Proposed Ordinances
Paul Ballesteros, founder and director of Emmanuel Labor, a nonprofit organization serving homeless individuals in McKinney, sympathizes with business owners who have concerns about panhandling and homelessness near their stores, but rejected the proposed ordinances as the right solution.
“If you’re going to tell people they can’t be in a certain place, being able to give them a place that they can go to would be a helpful solution,” Ballesteros said, adding that year-round shelters could provide more resources to homeless people in McKinney.
Concerns from the Community
“They don’t want to be homeless as much as you don’t want to see them,” he said.
On Tuesday, McKinney council members grappled with addressing housing needs and the concerns of downtown business owners.
“The ordinances are justified and needed if people had an alternative place to go,” said council member Justin Beller, who opposed some of the proposed measures. “Unless they have an alternative place to go, then we’re just making their presence illegal.”
Community members speak during a City Council meeting at the new City Hall in McKinney on Sep 16, 2025.
Jason Janik / Special Contributor
City Leaders’ Decision
City leaders tabled two proposed ordinances but decided to prohibit “aggressive panhandling” by making it illegal to ask others for money with violent or threatening gestures, intentionally block pedestrians or cars, or ask for money from a person in line waiting to enter a building or buy a ticket.
Council member Michael Jones said tabling the proposed changes would be “kicking the can down the road.”
The council agreed to revisit the matter in October and possibly vote on limiting camping in public and on restricting sitting and sleeping in public spaces downtown.
Homelessness in Other North Texas Cities
McKinney is not the only North Texas city cracking down on homelessness. In May, officials in Dallas announced an “effective end” to street homelessness in the downtown area and unveiled an initiative to close encampments and find housing for people currently without permanent shelter. Officials said sleeping will not be permitted on downtown streets.
Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities can enforce rules limiting camping in certain public places.
This summer, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that supports removing encampments, emphasizes treatment programs and prioritizes funds for cities that ban camping.
Conclusion
The issue of homelessness in McKinney and other North Texas cities is a complex one, and there is no easy solution. While city leaders are trying to address the concerns of downtown business owners, they must also consider the needs of the homeless population and provide alternative solutions for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the proposed ordinances in McKinney?
A: The proposed ordinances aim to tighten rules on sitting and sleeping in public places, including in cars and in the city’s historic center.
Q: What is the concern of downtown business owners?
A: Downtown business owners are concerned about panhandling and homelessness near their stores.
Q: What is the solution proposed by Paul Ballesteros?
A: Paul Ballesteros proposes providing year-round shelters to give homeless people a place to go.
Q: What is the decision of the city leaders?
A: City leaders tabled two proposed ordinances but decided to prohibit “aggressive panhandling” and will revisit the matter in October.
