Bryan Tony and Jerry L. Hawkins Highlight Historical Context and Zoning Reform to Address Dallas Housing Crisis
The Dallas Housing Coalition is leading a campaign to overhaul the city's urban planning rules to address a growing housing affordability crunch. Executive Director Bryan Tony and historian Jerry L. Hawkins recently presented a new zine, "A People's Guide to Dallas Housing History," which traces the city's development from the displacement of Native American communities to the era of intentional segregation and redlining. Tony noted that while the 21st Century Road to Housing Act provides a foundation, the city must address the "missing middle" of housing types, such as duplexes and cottage courts. The coalition advocates for more diverse housing options that are built near transit corridors and employment centers to reduce long commutes for working households. Meanwhile, public homebuilders are facing criticism for prioritizing profit margins and inventory control over significant price reductions. While builders use temporary mortgage-rate buydowns to maintain pricing power, advocates argue that the region needs a permanent solution to the wage-to-price imbalance that leaves many essential workers priced out of the communities they serve.