DALLAS (AP) - When Dallas' new homeless center opens Tuesday, it will focus on the homeless who can be the most difficult to help -- those who are very ill and have been on the streets for some time.

The $21 million taxpayer-funded facility called The Bridge is designed to provide mental health and addiction treatment and place people in homes as quickly as possible. But difficulties in achieving those goals include the Dallas area lacking housing options -- and Texas ranking 48th in the nation in funding mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Mike Faenza is president and chief executive officer of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, which will run the city-owned center. He tells The Dallas Morning News -- quote -- "The expectations of the homeless center should be high, but they should be realistic.''

The center will be using new approaches to help homeless people. In one place, they will be offered everything from shelter and food to haircuts and housing assistance.

Unlike most area shelters, The Bridge will not require users to pay a fee or go into treatment. It will also stay open during the day, when most shelters close and many homeless people end up roaming the streets.

Officials say that the homeless will be treated as guests, with the idea being to build people's trust so eventually they will accept help.
  

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)