Those who’ve laid roots in Joppa have been putting in the work to see it grow. Claudia Fowler is one of those residents.
“Resident of Joppa, advocate of Joppa, friend of Joppa…Joppa,” said Fowler.
Her work came with a shock last week when she attended a community meeting for District 7 in Dallas.
She and others learned that the city wants to build 75 pallet home for the unhoused population near the historic Freedman town. The homes will be small transitional homes.
“To see them transition from one stage of life to the other, you have to be excited,” said Fowler. “I guess we were kind of like in a little of shock because we hadn’t heard.”
The proposed home would be located at the 3.6-acre TxDOT site near Interstate 310. The idea was first introduced to the city’s Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee in April, but some residents said they were just hearing about it.
“As an advocate for the homeless, I am excited that they are going to be transitioning, but every community, whether you are in North Dallas, South Dallas, East Dallas, West Dallas,” said Fowler. “You want to know who your neighbors are going to be.”
Councilman Adam Bazaldua represents this neighborhood. He told WFAA in a statement, “I believe it is our job as leaders to take courageous positions, make definitive decisions, and take a holistic approach to leadership, one that includes making decision for those who don’t have the ability to organize and have a platform for a voice.”
In efforts of giving people a voice, Fowler raised environmental concerns as home would be next to industrial businesses. Joppa residents expressed concerns in the past.
“I want to see them in a safe environment, an environment where they can be productive, where they can be nurtured, where they can be loved,” said Fowler. “We just want them to understand that this is a community and that we want to be good neighbors to them. So, we want them to be good neighbors to us.”
Residents said they are hoping to speak with city leaders to learn more about the proposed project.