By Patrick Washington
The Dallas Weekly
For many Dallas residents, the dream of homeownership feels increasingly out of reach. Rising home prices, misconceptions about the mortgage process and uncertainty over financing have left many prospective buyers believing they simply cannot afford to own a home.
Leaders at Southern Dallas Progress Community Development Corporation (CDC) say that’s exactly the mindset they hope to change.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, the nonprofit will host its annual Homeownership Fair, bringing together more than 30 lending institutions, housing professionals and financial experts to help first-time buyers understand the path to homeownership and connect with resources that can make purchasing a home possible.
“We want people to understand that a ‘no’ today doesn’t mean ‘never,'” said Stacy Davis, program director for Southern Dallas Progress CDC. “It simply means ‘not yet.'”
The organization’s mission extends well beyond helping people purchase houses. Southern Dallas Progress CDC works to strengthen neighborhoods through homeownership, entrepreneurship, financial education and economic development, viewing each as an essential piece of a healthier community.
According to Davis, approximately 42% of people of color in Southern Dallas do not own their homes, limiting opportunities to build wealth that can be passed to future generations.
“Housing impacts everything,” Davis said during an interview with The Dallas Weekly. “It impacts our schools through property taxes. It impacts our streets, our hospitals and the overall health of our neighborhoods.”
For J. RaShad Thomas, a real estate broker, developer and the event’s host, homeownership should be viewed as an investment rather than simply a place to live.
“It’s not just about living in a house,” Thomas said. “You’re investing in something you can actually live in while it grows in value. When you leave an apartment, the landlord keeps the investment. When you own a home, you’re building equity for yourself.”
Thomas said homeowners in the Dallas-Fort Worth market can potentially build tens of thousands of dollars in equity over several years—wealth that renting simply cannot provide.
One of the biggest obstacles, organizers say, isn’t necessarily income.It’s confidence.Many potential buyers hear “no” from one lender and assume the dream is over.
The Homeownership Fair is designed to change that by placing attendees face-to-face with dozens of lending institutions and housing professionals, allowing them to explore multiple financing options while receiving personalized guidance.
“We connect trusted partners with trusted borrowers,” Thomas said. “Every lender has different programs. Just because one says no doesn’t mean another won’t have the right product for you.”
Organizers also hope to overcome long-standing mistrust of financial institutions within many communities by introducing prospective buyers to lenders committed to serving Southern Dallas.
Among the event’s biggest attractions will be information about down payment assistance programs, which organizers say can provide qualified buyers with between $20,000 and $50,000 toward purchasing a home.
Thomas emphasized that these programs are legitimate but require preparation.
“The money is real,” he said. “People are receiving $20,000, $30,000, even $50,000 in down payment assistance. But your debt-to-income ratio and your credit profile have to be where they need to be. Preparation is everything.”
Attendees will also receive guidance on budgeting, improving credit scores and creating realistic financial plans.
According to Thomas, nearly 68% of Americans operate without a working budget, making financial discipline one of the biggest barriers to homeownership.
“We don’t want people to become house poor,” he said. “Sometimes it’s about delayed gratification. Buy the house before you buy the luxury car.”
Beyond individual homeowners, Southern Dallas Progress CDC sees homeownership as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.
The organization believes stronger homeownership rates can attract grocery stores, banks, entrepreneurs and other investments while helping longtime residents remain in the communities they’ve helped build.
Rather than watching redevelopment lead to displacement, Thomas hopes residents become active participants in Southern Dallas’ growth.
“We have to compete for the glow up,” he said. “If we invest in our own communities, we can control our future instead of being priced out of it.”
Davis added that Southern Dallas has already begun attracting financial institutions by demonstrating the area’s economic strength, with banks such as Truist, Frost, Cornerstone and Vista expanding their presence in the community.
Event Information
Southern Dallas Progress CDC Homeownership Fair
Date: Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St., Dallas
The free event is open to aspiring homeowners, current renters, families interested in building generational wealth and anyone looking to better understand the homebuying process. Organizers recommend arriving early due to limited parking.
