Dallas’ new housing plan paints an optimistic picture as officials explain they hope to minimize class segregation, provide affordable housing, and diversify areas. Dallas is utilizing mixed-income housing, which is theorized to benefit lower-class communities by helping to stimulate economic growth. However, economists and politicians across the country have not reached a consensus on the viability of mixed-income housing, as each housing policy needs to be fine-tuned to the local economy to ensure success.
Through mixed-income housing, residents across two or three income tiers dwell in a common residential area. This could apply to adjusted rates in single-family housing or could refer to differently-priced units in a complex. As the extent of economic diversification is subject to interpretation, what defines as a success or a failure is subject to its particular approach. David Noguera, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, is undertaking the project with high hopes for success.
Tasked with investing the city’s resources in the development and preservation of mixed-income housing, the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization “designs and operates programs and [works with] corporations that invest in the development and preservation of mixed-income housing.”
Potential difficulty in securing funding is the chief criticism of these projects. Even success stories do not secure sponsorship with as much ease as approaches prioritizing middle-class homeowners and renters. However, the new housing policy strives to make headway in combatting this drawback through several programs to provide benefits for both existing homeowners and potential buyers moving into revitalized neighborhoods. The city provides financial benefits for those currently living in these areas that are performing minor-to-major renovations on their home. Additionally, companies and owners who provide affordable housing both in multi-tenant properties and single-family homes receive incentives to maintain ownership or undertake housing projects.
“Dallas Housing Policy 2033 (DHP33) takes a targeted approach to development based on performance metrics and time,” Noguera explains. “The former Comprehensive Housing Policy provided a compliance framework and produced a pipeline of 16,000 units, but it was not impactful in revitalizing communities. By targeting housing programs, city funding, and external investments in a [focused] manner we can improve the quality of life for residents in those areas.”
Other potential concerns expressed surrounding mixed-income housing include possible community mistrust and costly infrastructural expenses to make the area viable. Variably, apprehension due to fear of displacement of an area’s poorest non-white residents and disruption of class solidarity is a factor. Commonly reported benefits among studies express that working-class residents in mixed-income areas typically have greater accessibility to city resources by dwelling in spaces with middle-class neighbors. In turn, this prompts a greater effort in revitalizing an area. Noguera says the new project applies specific measures to minimize the displacement of residents, emphasizing racial equity.
“DHP33 is based on developing housing through a racial equity lens,” Noguera says. “[We formed this plan applying] the 7 Pillars of Housing Equity that are designed to serve historically disadvantaged communities.”
As constituents are apprehensive to show outright support for the new policy, given the shortcomings of previous housing policies adopted by the city, Noguera and his department as a whole are aware. Likewise, they’re keen to fully realize the plan in order to provide measurable results to the community.
“Residents and housing advocates are in a wait-and-see mode,” Noguera says. “The City has developed lots of plans, but many have not been realized. The constituents want to see results and that’s what we are working towards now.”
Mixed-income housing has elicited a range of responses from communities all over the country, as methods can vary widely with mixed reception from residents. Residential neighborhoods out-of-state cite economic improvements from taking on the initiative. For example, both Harbor Point in Boston, Mass. and Emeryville, Calif. have cited better quality of life for lower-income residents. However, the initiative undertaken by Chicago Housing Authority in 2014 received strong backlash due to displacement of residents and community erasure.
As the plan evokes anxiety in vulnerable demographics, DHP33’s full implementation is still pending. However, through support by way of the Mixed-Income Housing Development Bonus, the city has already allocated funding for greater economic integration. Simultaneously, the Housing Policy Taskforce is taking community feedback. Prioritizing homeowners, families with children, longtime residents, and those at risk of homelessness, funding has also been set aside for necessary home repair and homebuyer assistance programs. Constituents remain tentative to give full support, but nevertheless the City of Dallas expresses optimism in its new housing plan.
