North Texans priced out by rising home prices resort to agencies and organizations to find affordable housing. In 2021, more than half of households in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area were priced out of homeownership, according to a Dallas Morning News analysis.
Some local programs are trying to help families pay homebuying costs and provide resources to cost-burdened renters. Here’s a list of several programs empowering North Texans to find a way.
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity provides homeownership counseling, education and down payment assistance for low- to moderate-income families and individuals. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-certified homeownership counseling program — which helps people become mortgage-ready in one year or less — requires participants to work toward a credit score of 600 or above, demonstrate sufficient and stable income to purchase a home, and have adequate savings to cover expenses related to a home purchase. The program costs $125 for a single applicant and $200 for dual applicants. dallasareahabitat.org/home-counseling
Texas Homebuyer Assistance Program
Texas residents with a minimum FICO credit score of at least 620, along with meeting debt-to-income ratio requirements, can qualify for mortgage loans through the Texas Homebuyer Program with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Several homebuying programs provide extra funds for down payment assistance of up to 5%. Fees include a $275 compliance review, $150 loan review, $85 tax service, and other fees. thetexashomebuyerprogram.com/homebuyers
City of Dallas homebuyers assistance program
The Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) assists homebuyers with specific income requirements to purchase a home within the city limits of Dallas. The program provides homebuyers with a forgivable deferred loan of up to $60,000 in high-opportunity areas and $50,000 in all other areas. A high-opportunity area in Dallas is determined by levels of poverty. Applicants must have a household income of less than 80% of the Dallas-area median family income, which is $57,000 for a household of two or $71,200 for a household of four. Homebuyers must also pay at least $1,000 toward the purchase and have at least 2 months of monthly mortgage payments in savings after closing. dallascityhall.com/departments/housing-neighborhood-revitalization/Pages/Mortgage-assistanceLoan-registration.aspx
Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center
Dallas County residents who are first-time homebuyers, meet the income and property requiremen, and pre-qualify for a mortgage may get up to $7,500 for down payment and closing costs. Homes purchased must be in participating cities or in an unincorporated part of Dallas County. Participants’ income can’t exceed $62,350 for two-person households or $77,900 for a four-person household. Learn more about Dallas County’s programs for homebuyers. dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/home-loan-counseling.php
DHA Housing Solutions for North Texas
One of Dallas’ housing agencies provides both rental assistance and homebuying programs for participants who meet specific income and employment requirements. DHA owns and manages housing properties across Dallas and also provides Housing Choice Vouchers to qualified households. Two-person households can make up to $62,350 and four-person households can make up to $77,900 to qualify for DHA programs. dhantx.com/applicants-residents/overview
Texas Tenants Union
A statewide resource for renters, Texas Tenants Union provides education, workshops, organizing assistance, counseling, training and referrals to legal aid and social services. Renters who want to learn more about their rights under state law can call 214-823-2733. txtenants.org
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Residents in 114 Texas counties can contact the nonprofit Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas for free civil legal assistance with a variety of issues, including foreclosure, eviction, repairs, removing criminal records, taxes, and debt collection. Tenants facing problems with landlords can call 855-548-8457. internet.lanwt.org/en-us
Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center
The Dallas-based nonprofit provides pro bono legal aid, housing assistance, rent relief, and eviction education to all Dallas County residents regardless of income, race, immigration status or preferred language. DEAC provides aid to tenants facing eviction and can represent them at court hearings. dallaseac.org
