Dallas leaders warn city is falling behind on affordable housing
Dallas city leaders delivered a stark assessment Wednesday of the city's housing conditions, citing rising rents, growing eviction rates, and shrinking pathways to homeownership.
During a presentation on the state of housing, council members heard that nearly six in ten Dallas residents are renters, not homeowners, and many spend almost half of their monthly income on rent.
"This is great to shine a spotlight on what I believe [is an] important issue the city is facing now – is affordable crisis," one council member said.
Council Member Maxie Johnson said the city must focus on the people who keep Dallas running.
"I want homes for our educators, for police, educators," Johnson said.
Home prices far exceed local wages
The city's Housing and Community Empowerment Department reported that Dallas has a viable supply of homes — but largely for buyers who can afford properties priced at $400,000 and up.
A council report presented on Wednesday listed $434,000 as the city's median home price.
Meanwhile, many essential workers – including food service employees and office assistants – earn between $30,000 and $45,000 a year. Housing officials said Dallas needs 46,000 additional homes that workers in those income ranges can afford.
Officials say national trends contribute
Thor Erickson with the Housing and Community Empowerment Department said the data gives the city a chance to reassess its priorities.
"We have the opportunity to have a closer look at the data today to reevaluate the priorities we need to address," Erickson said.
Cullum Clark of the Bush Institute told council members the issue extends beyond Dallas.
"I believe the evidence is overwhelming that the biggest driver of the Dallas is affordability crisis is ultimately national," Clark said. "It is that our country underbuilt housing dramatically over several years."
Dallas offers programs to assist renters and first‑time homebuyers, but the city's housing status report shows Dallas is not keeping pace with the demand for homes that its taxpayers can afford.
