Dallas City Council reviews housing program with Builders of Hope for 10 lots

The City Council of Farmers Branch, Texas, convened on June 3, 2025, to discuss the progress of a housing initiative in collaboration with Dallas County and Builders of Hope. The meeting focused on the status of a program aimed at developing affordable housing on ten identified lots.

The session began with a recap of previous actions taken by the council, including the approval of a $2.5 million request for the program on April 2, 2024, and an interlocal agreement with Dallas County approved on July 16, 2024. Since then, the city has received four applications that have been submitted to the county and approved, with efforts ongoing to identify additional candidates, particularly in Districts 12 and 4.

The council was urged to assist in finding five more candidates for the program, with a follow-up process in place to ensure they meet the necessary requirements. The goal is to finalize the list of candidates to facilitate the next steps in the housing initiative.

A significant point of discussion was the timeline for the project. The council was informed that decisions needed to be made regarding which lots would be assigned to the program and the builder responsible for the construction. The aim is to complete construction by the third quarter of 2026, allowing for a year to move residents back in and manage public relations efforts related to the project.

The council reviewed the ten lots identified for development, which were chosen for their cost efficiency and suitability for the program. Builders of Hope provided input on the selection, emphasizing the importance of water and sewage connections to avoid additional costs.

Two key decisions were presented to the council: the approval to move forward with the ten identified lots and the agreement to proceed with Builders of Hope as the builder. The council plans to have a resolution ready for the next meeting on June 17, 2025.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for further discussion and questions from council members, highlighting the collaborative effort needed to ensure the success of the housing initiative.