WFAA: New McKinney ordinances leave homeless advocates concerned

A recent WFAA segment highlights the impact of two new ordinances in McKinney that make it unlawful for homeless individuals to sit, sleep, or lie in public roadways or medians, and to camp in public spaces. Community leaders, Jill Scigliano (CEO of The Samaritan Inn) and Paul Ballesteros (Founder of Emmanuel Labor: Removing the “Lessness” from Homelessness), stress that while safety is important, these laws are misdirected, ineffective, and potentially harmful to those experiencing homelessness.

The segment shares personal stories, such as that of Mark Davis, a 21-year-old navigating homelessness and probation restrictions, highlighting the real human impact. Advocates emphasize that policing alone won’t solve homelessness and call for compassion and strategic solutions rather than punitive measures.

Watch the full video to learn more:

Thank you to WFAA and Jobin Panicker for this powerful feature.