Understanding the early development West Dallas is essential to creating plans for equitable future development of the area. The context history adds including systemic redlining, agriculture, and industrial trends underpin the need for mixed use housing to maintain the rich community culture and protect affordability. 

For over 30 years, Dallas City Homes (DCH) has been a non-profit leader in promoting and developing mixed income housing.

At DCH, highlighting case studies where we see progress and innovation in addressing housing inequalities and access to housing is one way that we can bring fresh ideas to the housing conversation in Dallas.

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. 

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. 

Happiness, health, and housing are interconnected and well-researched to improve and inform housing policies. As a nonprofit working to alleviate housing pressures and preserve communities in Dallas

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.

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.