kneels on the floor in front of a kitchen sink while he measures a length of pipe for a repair." width="880" height="587" />kneels on the floor in front of a kitchen sink while he measures a length of pipe for a repair." width="880" height="587" />
Some Dallas residents who are hurting after last week's severe winter storm can now apply for the city's new Emergency Home Repair Program.
During a city council meeting on Wednesday members approved a program that will grant low-income Dallas residents up to $10,000 per household to repair home damage caused by the winter storm.
The total funding available that the city can distribute is $2 million. The program will help residents pay for wall and floor removal, water damage from broken pipes, sewer and gas lines, mold removal and damage to electrical systems.
Those who are eligible must be homeowners within the city of Dallas. They must have experienced damage to their homes since Feb. 11, when freezing weather temperatures occurred, causing harm to the life, health or safety of household members. And they must earn at or below 80% of the area median income, which is about $60,000 for a household of four, according to the city.
“My concern is that it is going to be very difficult to share this with equity,” Council Member Tennell Atkins said. Atkins thinks the program is great, but fears that news of the program will not reach residents without the internet.
That call to make sure the program is accessible to residentson the losing side of the digital divide was echoed by resident Yolanda Williams, who called into the meeting.
“We have a lot of homeowners and seniors who do not have Wi-Fi, so we are asking you all to consider this and assure that seniors will not worry about getting scammed,” Williams said.
Williams lives in Dallas' Pleasant Grove neighborhood and hopes the city will do it's best to reach the most vulnerable.
The city said it will do it's best to help residents with the biggest need and urges residents to apply.
You can also apply by phone by calling 214-670-3644.
Dallas residents who’ve already paid or hired a contractor to repair home damage can also apply. The city will also give out grants as reimbursements through the city’s housing department.
Got a tip? Alejandra Martinez is a Report For America corps member and writes about the impact of COVID-19 on underserved communities for KERA News. Email Alejandra at amartinez@kera.org. You can follow Alejandra on Twitter @alereports.
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