Hearing Ends Landmark Housing Suit
Dallas, Texas (December 21, 2004) – U.S. District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer today approved an agreement to end 20-years of litigation that helped change the face of the city of Dallas for thousands of
low-income families. The desegregation lawsuit was filed in 1985 on behalf of seven African American women who claimed that public housing conditions were separate and unequal. The plaintiffs’ sued the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the city of Dallas and The Housing Authority of the City of Dallas (DHA) in federal court and won.
Almost two decades and hundreds of millions of dollars later, once blighted neighborhoods have been revitalized with new apartments, townhouses and single-family homes, giving low-income clients
a wide choice of housing options throughout the city.
U.S. District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer made his decision after a hearing to consider the proposed agreement to end the long-running desegregation case negotiated by DHA and attorneys for the
plaintiffs.
HUD and the city of Dallas previously reached settlement agreements and were released from the case.
“This is a tremendous milestone for DHA and the families we serve,” said Ann Lott, president and CEO. “We are proud of the positive changes DHA has been able to make in the community. We have
truly changed the face of public housing and changed the quality of life for thousands of clients. Ending the litigation will allow DHA to focus its resources and time on continuing to make imp
rovements in housing opportunities throughout the city of Dallas.”
Since the Walker litigation was filed, DHA has made more than 3,000 housing units available for low-income residents throughout the community. In the past, public housing had been concentrated in
barracks-style buildings in some of the cities poorest neighborhoods.
In addition to ordering DHA to provide new housing opportunities throughout the Dallas area, the court allowed the agency to revitalize many of its oldest properties. For example, the historic
Roseland HOPE VI development, including Roseland Townhomes, Roseland Estates and Roseland Gardens, represents a $75 million investment to the community. The vibrant, newly renovated community now
offers contemporary facilities and a variety of social programs for residents.
Additionally, DHA is continuing its revitalization with Ann Lott’s vision of the “Golden Triangle” renovation, which involves demolishing and rebuilding three of DHA’s largest and most troubled
public housing developments. Frazier Courts, Rhoads Terrace and Turner Courts are all revitalization efforts to assist aging communities in South Dallas. The Frazier Courts development alone represents
a $60 million commitment to the economy and well being of the area.
Today, the agency that was once accused of fostering segregation of poor and minorities is now a leader in providing opportunities for low- income individuals to find jobs, attend schools of
higher learning and work toward the goal of owning their own homes. The agency has gone beyond its normal mandate in West Dallas when it redeveloped a failing shopping center,
constructed a world-class multipurpose center that includes a YMCA, HeadStart, health center and police substation that revitalizes what once was one of the nation’s most neglected neighborhoods.
“Our commitment to the community does not end with the Walker litigation,” said Lott. “We are still faced with many challenges, including obtaining enough funding to provide sufficient affordable
housing as well as overcoming resistance from neighbors who do not want quality affordable housing nearby.”
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