Many Families Relocating to Dallas
The Dallas affordable housing shortage has magnified tenfold due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Dallas Morning News recently reported that over 20,000 families displaced by Katrina have sought refuge in Dallas and are attempting to rebuild their lives. However, an already burdened affordable housing market has not yielded desirable results for these families. With few resources and only the promise of temporary emergency shelter and subsidies, Katrina evacuees are in desperate need for long-term housing assistance.

Dallas Area Habitat has responded by modifying its homeownership qualifications to address the housing crisis for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The purpose of the program is to help families reestablish themselves in safe, decent homes so that they have a solid foundation to start anew as residents of Dallas, Texas. Like all Habitat families, Katrina families must be considered very low-income, earning an income between 25-50% of the Area Median Family Income for the City of Dallas – a family of four earns $16,500 - $33,500. Due to their special circumstances, however, they are not required to have one year of successful local rental history and conditions regarding prior homeownership are waived.

In 2006, Dallas Area Habitat offered 20 low-income Katrina families the opportunity of homeownership and a new beginning in Dallas. Looking forward, there are plans to serve at least nine (9) additional Katrina families in 2007. These homes are just a beginning, however, as the need in Dallas continues to grow. Currently there are an additional 40 families seeking Habitat homeownership. Families that meet qualifications are offered the opportunity to partner with Dallas Habitat as funding becomes available. Those that do not are referred to social service agencies that can meet their broader needs for job training, legal assistance, healthcare, temporary housing and credit management so they can return to Habitat as qualified homebuyers.

Your support of Dallas Habitat will not only ensure the creation of safe, decent homes for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina, but will also build equity in their family’s future, providing them with a foundation for economic stability and success. Join Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity and its supporters in offering this unique opportunity to Katrina evacuees, where the results and rewards will last far beyond the completion of their Habitat homes.