Council Voting Next Week On Dallas' First-Ever Comprehensive Housing Policy

Dallas is looking to adopt a housing framework, with a primary goal of spurring affordable housing as officials say Dallas has a shortfall of 20,000 units.

A handful of revitalization zones will be a primary focus of the policy, D Magazine said in its breakdown of the 181-page proposal report. They fall into three categories: redevelopment areas, stabilization areas and emerging market areas. Redevelopment zones indicate where a project — which per the policy must be incentivized to contain mixed-income housing — could spur future development. Stabilization areas are in danger of gentrification — redevelopment is threatening to displace residents. The policy would zone these areas to increase density. Emerging market zones are places "that need a lot of work," D Magazine wrote. Plans there include "intensive environmental enhancements, public infrastructure assessments and corrective plans, code enforcement, code lien foreclosure, nuisance property abatement, establishment of a crime watch or crime reduction strategies, and neighborhood resource development," the report said.

The comprehensive housing policy plan includes tenant-based rental assistance, home improvement and rehab initiatives, a sublease program for housing vouchers, programs for economic development and bond funds for infrastructure and amenities like parks and libraries around housing.

The council will vote on the comprehensive policy plan May 9. 

Though the plan focuses on Dallas proper, experts have said Dallas' suburbs could be a breeding ground for affordable housing as there is more abundant and cheaper land.