GOVERNMENT Low-income Dallas residents may now qualify for rental assistance
BY CECILIA LENZEN
months of 100% assistance.” Financial assistance The program will provide rent subsidy assistance for the length of a lease up to 12 months, plus a one- time relocation expense. Renters renewing a lease, relocat- ing to a new rental or transferring to a new unit within their current prop- erty may receive monthly assistance that can equal up to the di erence between their previous monthly rent and their new amount, according to the plan. For renters
Dallas residents at risk of housing instability or displacement can now receive rent subsidies and relocation assistance from city funds. The help comes through the city’s Rent Subsidies and Relocation Assis- tance Program, which City Council approved during its April 26 meeting. The program is part of the city’s Racial Equity Plan, which “seeks to reframe racial and economic inclu- sion as integral to Dallas’ growth,” according to the plan. The program targets low-income residents to help them maintain housing with nancial assistance to support lease concerns, per council documents. Jessica Galleshaw, director of the O ce of Community Care, said the nancial assistance is intended to help renters who are able to pay most of their rent and will “ ll the gap” of what they can’t a ord. “It’s not necessarily going to help people that are the most unstable,” Galleshaw said at the meeting. “It’s going to help people who just can’t quite get there on their own and need a little bit of help for a longer period of time ... beyond just a few renewals. It will also helps support resi- dents relocating to a new rental due to a ordability, hous- ing quality or other
In addition to being one of the densest neighborhoods in Dallas, the Vickery Meadow area also has relatively low median income. (Kevin Cummings/Community Impact)
INCOME AND POVERTY IN EAST DALLAS Median incomes in the Lake Highlands and Lakewood area range from $104,583- $43,673. That has helped lead to an increase in the percent of residents living below the poverty line in certain areas and making it di cult for some to a ord the average rent of $1,957 for a two-bedroom apartment in the city.
75214
75231
75238
75243
MEDIAN INCOME
“ THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO JUST CAN’T QUITE GET
moving to a less expensive unit due to a ordabil- ity concerns or reduced income, rental assistance may equal up to the di erence between the monthly rental amount and 30% of the total household
0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
POVERTY
THERE ON THEIR OWN AND NEED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.” JESSICA GALLESHAW, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE DIRECTOR
0
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS
income, Galleshaw said. How to qualify
Assistance will only be provided to renters who live in Dallas and/or those relocating within the city. During the course of the assistance, the recipient will be required to participate in nancial coaching or other support services, according to the plan. “The idea is to keep it a ordable for folks ... so that they can plan for sustainability in the long term,” Galleshaw said.
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, RENT.COM COMMUNITY IMPACT
To be eligible, residents must earn an income of 50% or less of the area’s median income, while clients who make 30% or less of the area’s median income of about $58,000 will be prioritized. Eligibility will be
recerti ed every 90 days, and rental assistance may be altered if their income changes, Galleshaw said. Households already receiving other rental assistance or vouchers will not be eligible for this program.
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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • MAY 2023
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