Advocacy

Advocacy is central to our mission at Dallas Habitat for Humanity. We champion attainable, affordable housing not only in Dallas but also at the state and national levels. Through advocacy at all levels, we aim to make a greater impact on the affordability crisis in North Texas and beyond.

Habitat for Humanity seeks a world in which everyone has a decent, affordable place to live. Safe, stable, and affordable homes are fundamental to our health, job mobility, children’s educational achievement, and overall well-being. They are vital to successful local economies. We are stronger as a nation when everyone has a fair shot at attaining the security that homeownership provides and the opportunity to build wealth and a better future for oneself and one’s family.

To lower homeownership costs, extend opportunities to all Americans, and foster greater security for existing homeowners, all levels of government need to take action in three critical areas:

• • Increasing affordable homeownership supply.
  • Broadening homeownership access.
  • Improving homeownership resilience.

Download our Policy Agenda for the 89th Texas Legislature.

Advocate with Us – When we speak up, together, we can make the dream of homeownership a reality in Dallas County. Join us as we advocate for policies that will expand the availability of affordable homes for purchase, open more pathways to homeownership for families, and strengthen homeowners’ long-term stability and success. Sign up to get Advocacy Alerts and learn more about our local advocacy efforts in partnership with the Dallas Housing Coalition here.

Increasing funding, tools, and resources for attainable housing

• Set up a revolving loan fund with a one-time capital investment that funds attainable housing activities while encouraging workforce training for skilled trades (SB 208 – West)
• Boost Texas Bootstrap Loan Program and State Housing Trust Fund
• Establish new funding streams for housing production and preservationDallas

Expediting the construction and rehabilitation of homes

• Streamline the approval process for attainable housing projects, including allowing third party inspections and improving “shot clocks”
• Leverage publicly-owned and commercially zoned land for attainable housing development
• Encourage public-private partnerships at all levels of government

Innovating to produce and preserve attainable housing

• Allow diverse housing options to boost housing supply
• Mitigate displacement through Anti-Displacement Toolkit
• Amend the Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act (SB 600 – West)