The Dallas City Council will hear recommendations for the 2024 bond this summer, and the Dallas Housing Coalition is asking to be included. The organization, which includes 66 companies and nonprofits, says the city should include $200 million for affordable housing projects.
"While wages and income levels have steadily increased, they're being outpaced by rental costs," the coalition's Ashley Brundage said.
Brundage said the median household income in Dallas is $58,200, but the average home price is $405,000. She said the four most common jobs in North Texas have a median wage of about $40,000.
Brundage said rental costs have also increased by 60% since 2015 and 33% since January 2020. She said the gap between the amount of rent considered affordable to the median income earner and the median rent has increased 74% since 2020.
"Minimum wage earners must work multiple jobs, which is not possible, just to be able to afford the average apartment in Dallas," she said. "In 2023, it takes approximately $135,000 in household income to purchase the average home in Dallas, making it out of reach for anyone at or below 100% of the median income."
A survey showed 53% of Dallas residents listed affordable housing as one of their top three priorities the next bond should address.
"People are afraid because their property costs are rising, but their income is not," said Libbie Lee, executive director of Golden S.E.E.D.S. Foundation, a nonprofit that works to provide affordable housing in Oak Cliff.
Lee said growing housing stock in the area is not keeping pace with population growth, and she said Dallas ranks 10th of the 12 biggest cities in the country for affordable housing. She and Brundage said a lack of affordable housing makes it tougher for people to improve their economic status.
"We are clear on the solution we need," Brundage said. "The city of Dallas is facing a shortage of attainable homes and rental units, and this shortage is only expected to worsen as the city continues to grow."
Brundage and Lee said the formation of the coalition will bring organizations together to "show representatives this issue needs to be addressed." They said the coalition will work to highlight the need for an increased supply of housing available for different incomes.
"We have to work extra hard and be extra vigilant to make sure people are protected by any means necessary," Lee said.
The Dallas Housing Coalition said teachers earn an average of $61,820 a year and medical assistants earn an average of $37,310. The coalition said a teacher making that amount can afford to rent in most of the city; a teacher in a one-income household could only afford to buy a home in about half the city. A medical assistant in a household with one income could afford to rent or own a home in limited areas of southeast and West Dallas.
"When we talk about the need for attainable housing, we aren't only talking about teachers, firefighters, and police officers who are very important to our city. We are also talking about the laborers in our city that help our economy run," Brundage said.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news