Posts in DCH Identity and Culture
Inside the Dallas Opportunity Housing Fund

The Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund (DHOF) is an investment vehicle promoting fair housing  through the creation and preservation of affordable housing options for Dallas residents. The fund aims to create or retain housing units for households earning at or below 120% of the area median income of the City of Dallas. (to understand income calculations, see our blog here) The DHOF leverages municipal funds with private capital to drive much-needed development in Dallas, and DCH is one of the recipients of its fund. 

Read More
The Housing Paradigm and Paradox of Dallas Housing

The housing paradigm in the United States is complex, and the issue is not isolated to a specific region. Dallas especially is experiencing the effects of the housing paradox, with rising housing costs and critical zoning issues limiting access to affordable options. As part of our mission, DCH seeks to develop attainable housing and preserve affordability in developing communities of Dallas. In this blog, we outline how Dallas differs from other metropolises that suffer from an unsustainable housing paradigm. 

Read More
How does Adaptive Reuse Preserve Communities and Affordability?

Adaptive reuse is simply put, the process of converting old or abandoned buildings for new uses. It has consistently been gaining in popularity and we see no slowing of this trend following the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in how populations are living and working. Beyond the use of space and models of consumption, we also see community demand for preserving historic buildings and promoting sustainable development in urban areas. DCH is a believer in preserving community architecture, sustainable development practices, and keeping community culture, but many doubt the affordability of these practices. We would like to explain the concept more fully and relate how it can be both affordable and ethical to employ adaptive reuse principles. 

Read More
DCH recognizes Phyllis Isaacs for Women's History Month

DCH is honored to share the history of our Board Chair, Phyllis Isaacs. Phyllis is a veritable champion of affordable housing. Working hard both publicly and privately for the past 35 years in various nonprofits, she continues to work towards more equitable Dallas housing and fights for the rights of tenants. We are so inspired by her history, and we hope you will join us in celebrating Phyllis.

Read More
Texas Housing Relief Updates: Texas Rent Relief and Texas Supreme Court Order

DCH offers housing that is a mix of affordable and attainable units. The Texas Rent Relief (TRR) Program is an assistance program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs(TDHCA). The agency allocated 96 million in federal funds to assist those in need. For those who qualify, utility and rental assistance is available. If you are in a situation where you are facing eviction, your case will be prioritized. 

Read More
DCH Financial Literacy Corner: How to Write a Holiday Budget and Stick to It

The Holidays are such a magical time in Dallas, bright lights, festive decorations, community gatherings, and support really can put you in the season to give gifts. This holiday season, however, there are even more reasons to save for your future. Housing in Dallas is one of the least affordable in the US, and with unstable rents, the importance of saving for a home cannot be overstated. Dallas City Homes certainly does not want to deliver a bah humbug blog, so we are offering tips for writing a holiday budget, sticking to the budget, and some fun free Dallas events to enjoy the season, sustainably.

Read More
History of the Dallas Farmers Market

With inflation inching up food prices, many people are looking for ways to spend less and get more. One simple way to save money and live healthier is by shopping at a farmers market. Dallas is located proximately to farms and the Dallas Farmers Market offers you access to locally sourced fruit, vegetables, spices, and meats. It also has a rich history of connecting the people to the land and the abundance that Dallas has to offer.

Read More
What is Attainable Housing?

What is attainable housing? How is attainable housing different from affordable housing? Attainable housing and affordable housing are potential solutions to ease the current housing crisis, but are the subject of much debate by policymakers and experts. The key difference is what an individual qualifies for in relation to where they live. It comes as a surprise to many that in the current market they may qualify for attainable housing. Operationally, the development of attainable housing vs affordable housing can help alleviate housing pressure without devaluing neighborhoods with very high-density construction to house only those qualifying for subsidized affordable housing. We explore the differences between affordable and attainable housing and how they shape communities, and the future of Dallas housing.

Read More
Affordable Housing Myths

Dallas City Homes has been a change agent in Dallas for over 30 years. Revitalizing properties as a non-profit and developer, we consider ourselves as developers of affordable living over affordable housing. The communities resulting from our developments have withstood the strictest scrutiny from officials and neighbors, and are integrated into vibrant Dallas neighborhoods. In this blog we want to debunk some of the 3 most common and damaging myths around affordable housing. We are also sharing commentary and experience from our team on how Dallas City Homes projects have impacted the communities in positive ways, and defied stereotypes.

Read More