Farmers Branch moves forward with Dallas County replacement-housing pilot with Builders of Hope

Mayor and council members in the City of Farmers Branch on June 3 signaled agreement to move forward with a Dallas County replacement-housing program that will use 10 city-owned lots and Builders of Hope as the selected builder.

Jose Gervais, special projects manager for Farmers Branch, told the council the program would use county funds to build a new home on a purchased lot and swap it with a qualifying resident’s existing home. “The replacement housing program will enable the city to utilize county funds to build new home, to build a new home on previously purchased lot and swap it with a qualifying resident's existing home,” Gervais said.

The program is intended for long-term residents who meet income and ownership thresholds. Under the county requirements Gervais outlined, applicants must have household income at or below 80% of area median income, must have a fully paid-off mortgage, must have lived in the home for at least five years, and the existing home must be dilapidated or functionally obsolete. Builders of Hope told the council replacement houses would meet Dallas County Exhibit E specifications, including a minimum of 1,300 square feet and standard upgrades such as an included garage.

City staff told the council the program team has four applications approved by the county and is seeking additional candidates, especially from specified districts, and asked council members to refer residents who may qualify. The council previously approved proceeding with 10 lots and a $2.5 million county request on April 2, 2024, and approved an interlocal agreement with Dallas County on July 16, 2024, Gervais said.

Gervais presented a schedule that targets construction completion by the third quarter of 2026 so the city can use the remainder of the grant period for move-in and publicity. He cautioned that weather and supply-chain delays could affect that timeline.

Council members sought clarifications about program flexibility and lot assignment. Councilman Roman asked whether the requirement that a homeowner’s mortgage be fully paid was clearly stated in outreach materials; Gervais confirmed it is a program requirement and staff agreed to reflect that in public materials. Councilwoman Bennett asked how the city would reassign lots if participants wanted to remain on their original lots; staff said lots relinquished by applicants would revert to city ownership and that the city would explore adding flexibility to the resolution to avoid losing applicants who prefer specific lots.

There was no roll-call vote at the study session; the council indicated informal consensus and staff said a resolution and agreement will be prepared for formal council action at the next regular meeting on June 17.

The program’s immediate next steps are: finalize the resolution and interlocal documentation for council consideration, continue outreach to recruit additional eligible residents, and proceed with permitting and construction once lots and participants are assigned. The city and Builders of Hope are prepared to move ahead, subject to the formal actions to be presented at the June 17 council meeting.