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| illustration by Douglas Jones |
Finally, an effort begins that provides more action than talk in the effort to revitalize the southern half of Dallas. A new public-private partnership focused on revitalizing entire neighborhoods in the southern sector is launching this month. It’s called “Dream Dallas,” which is appropriate, considering its tie to the American dream of homeownership and Dallas’ collective dream of lowering crime, providing better schools, and boosting economic development in the long-neglected half of our city.
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert has been out building support with civic and business leaders over the last six months. Amid instability in the national housing market, Leppert is touting Dream Dallas as an opportunity to build more houses, and he’s been raising eyebrows and interest by tying the message back to those three big priority issues: crime, schools, and economic development.
So, which organization is the “private” part of this “public-private” partnership? It’s Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. In the interest of full disclosure, it’s important to mention that I’m a Habitat board member. But that doesn’t minimize the fact that Habitat is among the largest homebuilders and the largest nonprofit homebuilder in the city. The group has built 700 high-quality homes for 2,600 people in Dallas since 1986. Each bought homes with a 0 percent interest loan and worked 400 hours of sweat equity. Habitat homes have added $52 million in value in property taxes for Dallas County, and those same homeowners last year contributed more than $1 million in property taxes.
Now, Habitat is expanding its model from building homes to building entire neighborhoods. Dream Dallas is focused on these five neighborhoods over the next five years: South Dallas/Fair Park: The area just south of this historic site has been caught in urban decline. In five years, Dream Dallas aims to build 100 homes for 310 family members.
Joppa: Near the banks of the Trinity River in southeast Dallas and one of the last freedman communities in Texas, Dream Dallas will build 75 new homes for 250 family members.
Bonton: Plagued by decades of flooding and public housing units with a stained past, Bonton is recovering with construction of new levees along the Trinity and a promise of hope for 250 family members to live in 73 new Habitat homes.
West Dallas: Also a past home for segregated public housing, West Dallas has seen a boost with retail in the surrounding area, a dramatic decrease in violent crime, and 138 Habitat homes. Dream Dallas will build 72 homes for 235 family members.
Lancaster Transportation Corridor: Including Cedar Creek Ranch, a brand-new neighborhood in far south Dallas, the area is ready for 65 homes and 200 family members.
The tie between homeownership and the city’s most dire needs are clear. The numbers prove it. According to Habitat, homeowners are 16 percent more likely to belong to a community organization, and 15 percent more likely to vote. Children of homeowners are also 20 percent more likely to graduate from high school.
The realized dream of homeownership for more families will mean Dallas’ dream of enhancing its southern area can begin to come true.
