Need a Major Home Repair? Dallas Is Offering Free Assistance to Qualified Property Owners
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Staff Reports
Public workshops will be held in each Dallas City Council district beginning Monday, July 15, to help residents prepare applications for the Home Improvement and Preservation Program.
The HIPP program has been criticized in the past for its “Hunger Games-style” application process where elderly and disabled residents were asked to wait in line on a designated day and apply for the program on a first-come, first-served basis.
Under the leadership of new Director Cynthia Rogers-Ellickson, the Dallas Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization streamlined its programs and committed to making the processes more efficient.
Workshops on the home repair funds kick off at the Hiawatha Williams Recreation Center in District 4. Applications will be accepted Aug. 19-30.
Who is Eligible For Home Repair Funds?
The home repair program provides assistance up to $24,000 in the form of a forgivable loan for “major systems repairs” such as replacing an HVAC system, electrical work, plumbing, and accessibility repairs, according to a city press release.
Applicants must be single-family property owners residing in the City of Dallas whose household income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.
Councilman Chad West, whose District 1 meeting is set for July 19 at the North Oak Cliff Library, said he’s hopeful the program will address needs in his area that could not be covered by 2024 bond funds.
“Preservation of the City’s existing housing stock is of paramount importance,” West told CandysDirt.com. “It costs more to build new housing than to preserve the homes that currently exist, and more importantly, we must do everything we can to help our seniors and neighbors struggling to maintain their homes stay there and continue to live in their own neighborhoods. I encourage any neighbor who needs financial help with home repairs to come to these meetings and I encourage others to help spread the word so we reach as many people as possible across the City.”
For more information, visit DallasHousingPolicy.com.
