ARPA funding available for Dallas’ historic areas

Dallas, Texas - Federal grants of up to $100,000 per household are now available for several underserved neighborhoods in Dallas, including Joppa, Five Mile, Tenth Street Historic District, and The Bottom, according to Dallas Metro News.

These specific areas have borne the brunt of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the official city records.

Through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the allocated funds will be used for residential refurbishments in these designated regions which are identified within Qualified Census Tracts across Dallas. This initiative's primary objective is to uphold affordable housing, all while enhancing the overall living conditions.

This pertinent information was recently disseminated through the city’s official e-newsletter, "This Is Our House".

Catrice Robison, an Outreach Specialist at Dallas Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, has stated that preserving homes in a good state leads to healthier residents. She affirmed that individuals tend to have better health when their living spaces are well-maintained and free from disrepair.

"Since the start of COVID-19, more residents have engaged in activities inside the home," Robison remarked. "This has caused greater wear and tear on aging houses, which can create a difficult living situation."

In regards to eligible neighborhoods, Joppa is a community founded by emancipated slaves in the late 1870s, located in southern Dallas, with a median home value of approximately $94,500. Five Mile Creek, another eligible neighborhood, is situated near South Lancaster and Simpson Stuart roads, boasting a median home value of around $91,420. The Tenth Street Historic District, recognized as one of the remaining Freedman's Towns in the United States, has a median home sale price of $325,000.

"The Bottom", a historically Black neighborhood located in East Oak Cliff, has recently been included in the eligible areas for ARPA funding. The property listings in The Bottom are scarce, with land prices ranging from $18,000 to $215,000.

City officials have announced that multiple home repair projects have already been initiated. An estimated amount of $2 million has been set aside for the refurbishment and improvement of no less than 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," city documents stated.

For those interested in applying for ARPA grant funding, there are specific eligibility requirements:

• The home must be a single-family detached dwelling built in or before 1959.
• The homeowner must be residing in the home as their primary residence.
• The home must be located within one of the qualified neighborhoods.
• The property must need eligible repairs.
• Property owners who lease or sell to a tenant or buyer in the area who earns less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income are also eligible.

For additional questions, please contact 469-799-2761 or email catrice.robison@dallas.gov.