The restoration of hope - revitalizing West Dallas

by Jacquinette Murphy of North Dallas Gazette

Mayor Tom Leppert joined with three local non-profit organizations to officially launch the West Dallas Restoration Collaborative Project on Saturday, May 1 at 3200 Puget Street. A lot of land near Singleton Boulevard and Hampton Road, once a sore reminder of the downward spiral of the West Dallas area, is now a glimpse of hope for community and the city at-large.

Over the last three-years, Builders of Hope, Habitat for Humanity and the Dallas Faith Communities Coalition partnered on the initiatives to return the joy of affordable home ownership, increase the economic development and to restore a sense of community back to this area of Dallas widely known for its high drug and crime rate.

Staged in a large, grassy vacant lot just behind the homes, the purpose of this event was to celebrate the milestone acquisition and elimination of 42 dilapidated and vacant residential properties slated to be replaced with new and renovated homes for working families. Both public and private sector contributors spoke of the future and present value of this partially realized community investment.

Builders of Hope, a certified housing counseling organization and community housing development organization whose focus is on the West Dallas area, is one of the groups leading the charge.

“We are transforming neighborhoods like West Dallas to neighborhoods of hope and home ownership,” said Norman Henry, the president of Builders of Hope CDC. “It hinders the progress of neighborhoods when there are drug-ridden houses. We have to deal with the blighted, abandoned and vacant properties in order for redevelopment to occur.” Their goal is to make West Dallas a viable option for homebuyers through the building of homes on vacant lots, renovating existing residences and the offering of homebuyer education programs.

Scott Begin, chief executive officer of the Dallas Habitat for Humanity shares the mission of Builders and synced their resources to help reshape the western corner of the city. “We know that by building multiple houses in these neglected areas, we are creating a sense of pride for these new home-owners and their neighbors, impacting crime and bringing new businesses,” he stated.

Habitat for Humanity, a Christian Ministry, is the largest non-profit homebuilder in the city of Dallas and has served 600 low-income families and invested $50 million in 20 Dallas county neighborhoods to rebuild communities since 1986.

Leppert begin with applause for the community organizations and funding partners. “This is a celebration of what we can do,” said Leppert. “The City of Dallas is very focused on revitalizing neighborhoods that are centered on affordable housing. This investment is going to spur more and really change the community. When you have ownership and people are involved in the community and have their heart in it, it reduces crime, increases education and brings together all those things that make a community.”

Communities and families were common threads weaved into the many conversations. Builders of Hope have even incorporated a compensation plan for the members of the community to rebuild their own neighborhoods. He stated members of the community would rebuild the houses demolished.

“This will enable them to give back to the community and it will break the cycle.” The citizens will be earning wages, which can reduce crime rate. By building their own homes, per Henry, it will create a sense of pride and a desire to protect your own property. “We pay them more than minimum wage, ” said Henry. “As a result, we are able to produce housing that is more affordable.”

With the significant funding and resources of The Rees-Jones Foundation and Mr. Ray Nixon, the three non-profits were recently able purchase 26 properties from a landlord to further their project goal to the tune of about $1 million. This is the first step in their journey and increased their capacity to do more.

“Today we are making a new commitment to build 300 new and renovated homes in West Dallas in the next four years,” said Phil Wise of the Dallas Faith Communities Coalition. “We are here to not only change communities but to change families. We are doing this one family at a time.”

City of Dallas District 3 Councilman, Steve Salazar, estimated that the addition of 42 homes could annually bring about at least $1.3 million into the West Dallas area if each household earned at least $30,000 per year. “There is nothing more exciting to see families contributing to West Dallas and spending their money here,” said Salazar.

The sound of the bulldozers was the closing remark as Irby Walton, Sr., a demolition contractor of more than 30 years, demolished the first house. “It feel goods every time I tear one of these down.”

Henry summed, “This is a great day for West Dallas!”

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