Dallas weighs support for 360-unit affordable housing project

Overview

Updated 5 days ago

A Dallas City Council hearing Wednesday will let residents weigh in on a 360-unit apartment complex planned for low-income families. The project, West Davis Family Apartments, needs the council's support to secure state tax credits that would finance its construction.

Dallas faces a shortage of affordable housing, and the project's fate hinges on a state allocation process where local support can make or break the application. The hearing is the public's chance to shape that decision.

Why it matters

If the tax credits are awarded, 360 low-income families get a place to live; if not, the project may never break ground.

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Key Indicators

360

Proposed housing units

West Davis Family Apartments would add 360 units for low-income residents.

LIHTC rate requested

Application seeks non-competitive 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits from TDHCA.

Sept 9, 2026

Public hearing date

City Council hearing to receive comments on the tax credit application.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

Organizations Involved

Dallas Leased Housing Associates XIII, LP

Real estate development partnership

Applicant for LIHTC

The developer group behind West Davis Family Apartments.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

State agency

Allocates LIHTC in Texas

State agency that decides LIHTC awards for affordable housing projects.

Dallas City Council

Municipal legislative body

Holding public hearing on application

Governing body that will hear comments and may vote on a resolution supporting or opposing the project.

Timeline

2 events Latest: 3 days ago

September 2026
Public hearing on tax credit application
Latest Hearing

City Council receives comments on Dallas Leased Housing Associates XIII, LP's application for 4% LIHTC for West Davis Family Apartments.
3 days ago
City Council agenda published
Public notice

Agenda lists public hearing for Sept. 9 on West Davis Family Apartments LIHTC application.
5 days ago

Scenarios

Council supports, TDHCA awards credits, project builds

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Developers and housing advocates

After the hearing, the council passes a resolution of support. TDHCA sees local backing and awards the 4% non-competitive credits. Construction begins within a year, adding 360 affordable units to Dallas's inventory.

Council opposition or silence derails application

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Community groups, affordable housing critics

Residents voice strong opposition at the hearing, and the council withholds a resolution of support. Without a local signal, TDHCA may deprioritize the application or reject it, forcing the developer to reapply next year or abandon the project.

Council approves with conditions, project revised

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: City staff, moderate council members

The hearing surfaces moderate concerns about density or traffic. The council passes a resolution of support conditioned on the developer reducing unit count or adding amenities. TDHCA accepts the revised plan, and credits are awarded with modifications.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

October 1986

Low Income Housing Tax Credit creation (1986)

Congress created the Low Income Housing Tax Credit as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, giving states a federal incentive to spur affordable housing development. Developers receive tax credits over 10 years, which they sell to investors for upfront equity.

Then

Dozens of affordable projects launched across the country, funded by private capital attracted by the credits.

Now

LIHTC became the primary federal tool for producing and preserving affordable rental housing, funding nearly 3 million homes by 2020.

Why this matters now

West Davis Family Apartments relies on this same mechanism—the 4% non-competitive credit—to make its 360 units financially viable.

December 2017

2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act impact on LIHTC

The TCJA reduced corporate tax rates, which lowered the value of tax credits to investors. It also introduced a new 4% minimum floor for certain credits, helping some projects but capping others.

Then

LIHTC equity prices fell, forcing many developers to scale back or restructure projects to remain feasible.

Now

States adapted by adjusting allocation formulas and using new financing tools like tax-exempt bonds to keep projects alive.

Why this matters now

The hearing on West Davis occurs under this post-2017 environment, where credit pricing and local support matter more than ever for a 360-unit project's bottom line.