Joanna England

Joanna England is the former long-time executive editor and a founding editor at CandysDirt.com.

Dallas Housing Authority CEO MaryAnn Russ Says Site Can't Be Used for Market Rate Housing, Pushes Forward With Doubling Project's Size

By Joanna England / September 30, 2013 /

We published an unedited statement from Dallas Housing Authority President and CEO MaryAnn Russ on Friday, in which she said that DHA clients have just as much right as nearby residents to live in an upscale neighborhood, and that the property on Kings Road must be affordable housing because of federal laws.

OK, that makes sense, but the main gripe of community advocates isn’t having low-income housing, it’s how much of it is planned for the site. Before it was demolished last year, many nearby residents said that the Kings Quarters development, a 70-year-old 200-unit public housing project, was rife with drugs and crime. DHA plans include more than doubling the number of units and decreasing parking. It’s a recipe for disaster, says a former neighbor to the DHA development that was razed.

Dallas Housing Authority Chief MaryAnn Russ Responds to Community Outcry on Oak Lawn Project

By Joanna England / September 27, 2013 /

MaryAnn Russ, President and CEO of the Dallas Housing Authority, responded today for our request for comment regarding a meeting between the DHA and community advocates on Tuesday. We published a story Thursday about the public outcry over the Oak Lawn DHA project set for Kings Road, citing a letter sent from advocates running the Rezoning DHA website.

Jump for the letter in its entirety.

RESA Gives Away Full Staging Package at MetroTechies Conference Wednesday in Grapevine

By Joanna England / September 27, 2013 /

We talk about how valuable staging is when marketing a listing, and for Suzy Echols Neal of Nathan Grace Realtors, she’ll get all of the value without forking over a dime! Neal won a complete staging and photography package at the MetroTechies conference Wednesday in Grapevine. Neal was thrilled to find out she’d won the…

Friday Four Hundred: Tudor on Velasco is Just About as Charming as Can Be

By Joanna England / September 27, 2013 /

We started this week with a gorgeous Scott Carlson listing, so it’s fitting that we end it with another. This listing is so fresh that its paint is still drying! Scott says that it’s getting a little freshening up done inside, and there will be some new photos afterward. Until then, he was happy to…

Ticket Giveaway! Comment to Win a Ticket to The SOLD OUT Womens Council of Realtors High Tea and Fashion Show!

By Joanna England / September 27, 2013 /

We already talked about the Dallas Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors and the great work they do promoting leadership in the real estate community. Rebecca Lightfoot, a Realtor and designer, is the president and is just amazing. Their annual event, the high tea and fashion show, is a super fun way to network and…