City moves to purchase housing for homeless families

Published on March 01, 2023

CITY NEWS nsd-seminary housing project.jpg

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary accepted Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp.’s nonbinding purchase offer for a 15-acre plot of land to house the city’s most vulnerable, including homeless families.

The property is three city blocks bordered by West Drew Street, McCart Avenue, West Bolt Street and Lubbock Avenue. It is expected to house up to 140 families.

“This project is a perfect example of Fort Worth’s commitment to families and ensuring every child has the support they need to be successful,” said Mayor Mattie Parker. “As we face a crisis of family homelessness across the country, we are fortunate in Fort Worth to have nonprofit and philanthropic partners that are committed to working alongside the City to ensure we are investing in the needed housing and services for our most vulnerable.”

What’s new: The real estate acquisition is a public-private partnership expected to cost about $11 million.

  • One Safe Place has committed to raise $5 million.
  • Tarrant County Samaritan House Inc. was awarded $4.1 million of federal funds by the City of Fort Worth that could be moved to this project.
  • There is a $1.1 million commitment by Rainwater, Morris, Amon Carter and Sid Richardson foundations.
  • The Paulos Foundation has committed $800,000.

“Too many families experience unstable housing due to economic circumstances or emergency situations, and this instability impacts every aspect of a family’s life from employment opportunities to children’s education,” said Sarah Greer, program officer of Rainwater Charitable Foundation. “This project will leverage community partnerships, an accessible location and existing infrastructure to provide affordable housing coupled with supportive services and neighborhood amenities to help families thrive.”

The Seminary’s property has 140 units in duplex, triplex and quadplex units. While the unit mix is still under discussion, about half the units could be designated for victims of domestic violence and the rest could serve families exiting homelessness.

What they’re saying: “With family homelessness at an all-time high, we are excited to see a development that will allow us to give so many families a place to call home,” said Lauren King, executive director of Tarrant County Homeless Coalition.

By the numbers: In the last quarter of 2022, there were 200 homeless families compared to the last quarter of 2021, when there were about 130 homeless families – more than a 50% increase.

  • There’s a need for more affordable housing in Fort Worth.
  • The owners of the development would be One Safe Place and Tarrant County Samaritan House or their related entities.
  • Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp. is the housing development arm of the City of Fort Worth.

“This project will transform lives, build stronger families, and improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children,” said District 9 Councilmember Elizabeth Beck. “It will provide housing for families experiencing homelessness and a stable refuge for survivors of domestic violence, complete with the wraparound services needed for families to heal and build the resiliency needed to chart a path forward to bright futures in our community.”

What’s next: The City will begin its due diligence processes, which will take a few months. Tentatively, leases for some units would begin in 2023.

 

 

Photo: The 15 acres includes 140 duplex/triplex/quadplex units. There are 16 one-bedroom units and 124 two-bedroom units.

 

 

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