The City of Dallas is considering a new housing policy called “Dallas Is Home,” which intends to build on the best practices of previous housing and homelessness policies while advancing a multi-pronged approach designed to meet the diverse housing needs of its residents.
The city announced the policy proposal in a Monday press release. According to the release, the mayor and City Council received a briefing on the new housing framework on Wednesday.
The framework outlines homeownership difficulties, challenges facing renters, dynamic interventions to curb homelessness in Dallas, and the $100 million housing fund created at the Communities Foundation of Texas using national and local data supplied by city staff and industry subject matter experts.
On average, Dallas renters spend 39% of their income on housing, which makes sense considering the city is short 12,000 for-sale single-family homes for median wage earners. Additionally, existing affordable rental units continue to be replaced by higher-cost market-rate development.
“Dallas Is Home” will guide the city’s housing efforts through eight strategic pillars, including citywide production of shelter, rental, and attainable for sale housing; preserving existing housing stock; directing investments to areas with the greatest housing needs; strengthening housing services and fair housing activities; prioritizing infrastructure and capital improvements; enhancing collaboration and coordination; and increasing engagement and education.
“This comprehensive approach to addressing our city’s housing needs speaks to the City Council’s commitment to drive opportunity for all residents especially around creating safe, thriving neighborhoods,” said City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “‘Dallas Is Home’ centers around people and the place in which they live, acknowledging that addressing the city’s housing crisis must be as diverse and complex as its challenges.”
In the coming months, city staff will meet with council members and community groups to gather input and refine the proposal before presenting it for City Council consideration in the fall.