Dallas advocates urge city to expand Public Facilities Corporation housing tool accessibility

In a recent government meeting focused on housing and homelessness solutions in Dallas, significant discussions emerged regarding the city’s approach to affordable housing and the tools available to facilitate development. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for accessible housing options amid rising rents and increasing competition for affordable units.

One of the key topics addressed was the impact of proposed changes to the Public Facilities Corporation (PFC) program. Stakeholders, including developers and housing advocates, expressed concerns that restricting PFC projects to areas with high poverty rates would exacerbate existing issues rather than alleviate them. Barrett Lindberg from Savoy Equity Partners emphasized that limiting PFC usage could concentrate poverty further, contradicting the city’s goals of deconcentrating poverty and promoting equitable housing opportunities. He cited a rental housing needs assessment indicating that location significantly influences life outcomes, advocating for a broader application of PFCs to include lower-poverty neighborhoods.

Michael Williams, representing the Real Estate Council, echoed these sentiments, warning that proposed income restrictions and geographic limitations could hinder critical housing rehabilitation efforts across diverse neighborhoods. He urged for a collaborative approach to refine the bylaws governing the Dallas Housing Finance Corporation (DHFC) and PFC, ensuring that these tools remain effective in addressing the city’s housing crisis.

The Dallas Housing Coalition also voiced strong support for the PFC and DHFC, highlighting their success in producing thousands of homes with relatively low city investment. They noted that the DHFC has facilitated the creation of over 7,000 homes, demonstrating a significant return on investment for the city. The coalition underscored the importance of maintaining these programs to continue fostering mixed-income developments in high-opportunity areas.

As Dallas grapples with a growing housing affordability crisis, the discussions from this meeting underscore the critical need for policies that promote equitable access to housing across all neighborhoods. Stakeholders are calling for a reevaluation of proposed restrictions to ensure that the city can effectively address the diverse needs of its residents while fostering sustainable community growth. The outcome of these discussions will likely shape the future of housing policy in Dallas, with implications for economic stability and community well-being.