Dallas residents of four neighborhoods can apply for up to $100,000 per household American Rescue Plan Act funds
Dallas, Texas – Federal grant funds of up to $100,000 per household are now available for several underserved neighborhoods in Dallas, specifically, Joppa, Five Mile, Tenth Street Historic District, and The Bottom. These regions have suffered the most due to the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as indicated by city records.
Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Neighborhood Revitalization Program, these funds will be utilized for residential repairs in areas identified within Qualified Census Tracts across Dallas. The aim of the initiative is to retain affordable housing while enhancing the overall living conditions.
This crucial information was recently disseminated through the city’s official e-newsletter, “This Is Our House”.
According to Catrice Robison, who is an outreach specialist at Dallas Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, maintaining homes in good condition contributes to improved health outcomes for residents. She asserted that people are generally healthier when their homes are free from disrepair.
“Since the start of COVID-19, more residents have engaged in activities inside the home,” Robison said. “This has caused greater wear and tear on aging houses, which can create a difficult living situation.”
Eligible Neighborhoods
Joppa, occasionally known as Joppee, is a Freedman community founded in the late 1870s in southern Dallas by emancipated slaves. Its median home value stands at approximately $94,500.
Five Mile Creek, located near South Lancaster and Simpson Stuart roads in southern Dallas, has a median home value of around $91,420.
The Tenth Street Historic District is recognized as one of the few remaining Freedman’s Towns in the United States. Here, the median home sale price is $325,000.
Recently, “The Bottom”, a historically Black neighborhood situated in East Oak Cliff, has been included in the areas eligible for ARPA funding. Property listings in The Bottom are sparse, with land prices ranging from $18,000 to $215,000.
City officials have confirmed that several home repair projects have already commenced. Around $2 million has been allocated for the repair and improvement of at least 20 homes.
“Funding housing preservation at this level and by neighborhood allows for a visible transformation of the homes, communities, and lives of the residents who occupy them,” according to city documents.
How to Apply
To qualify for ARPA grant funding:
- The home must be a single-family detached dwelling built in or before 1959.
- The homeowner must live in the home as their primary residence.
- The home must be within one of the qualified neighborhoods.
- The home must need eligible repairs.
- Property owners who rent or sell to a tenant or buyer in the area who earns less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income also are eligible.
For more information, call 469-799-2761.
