GO BIG D: White Paper

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The “GO BIG D” initiative is a strategic response to Dallas’s critical shortage of attainable housing. Aiming to construct 150,000 new housing units by 2035—averaging 15,000 units annually over the next decade—this plan focuses on transforming city-owned properties into vibrant, affordable communities. By leveraging public-private partnerships, regulatory reforms, and community engagement, “GO BIG D” seeks to ensure that Dallas remains a beacon of opportunity and growth for all its residents.

The Housing Challenge in Dallas

As of 2024, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metro area faces a significant shortfall in workforce and attainable housing, driven by robust population growth and economic expansion. The region requires approximately 629,000 workforce housing units to meet the demand of households earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income (AMI). This shortage underscores the urgent need for housing solutions that cater to middle-income workers, such as teachers, nurses, and first responders, to sustain the area’s economic vitality and ensure affordable living options for its essential workforce.

Projected Population Growth

DFW is projected to become the largest metropolitan area in the United States by 2100, with studies suggesting a population nearing 34 million, surpassing New York City and Los Angeles. This anticipated growth is attributed to factors such as a strong economic environment, relatively affordable cost of living, and significant domestic and international migration. However, this projection also highlights the necessity for proactive housing strategies to accommodate the burgeoning population.

The “GO BIG D” Initiative

The “GO BIG D” initiative aims to address Dallas’s housing needs through a multifaceted approach:

1. Utilizing City-Owned Land: Transforming underutilized city-owned properties into housing developments. Assuming a mix of 50% single-family homes and 50% multi-family housing units, the initiative would require approximately 12,500 acres to achieve the target of 150,000 units.

2. Zoning and Regulatory Reforms: Streamlining zoning and permitting processes to encourage more housing development and reduce barriers to construction. This includes reducing minimum lot sizes and allowing for higher-density developments to maximize land use.

3. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with private developers to invest in and construct new housing units, particularly affordable housing. The city would participate as the “land bank” for the properties, potentially offering discounts from appraised values to incentivize development.

4. Mixed-Use Development: Promoting developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to create vibrant communities and maximize land use efficiency.

5. Incentives and Subsidies: Offering financial incentives, tax credits, or subsidies to developers and homeowners to encourage the construction of new housing units, especially in areas of high demand.

6. Community Engagement: Engaging with residents, community organizations, and stakeholders to ensure that housing initiatives meet the needs and preferences of local communities.

7. Infrastructure Investment: Investing in infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and amenities to support housing development and enhance the livability of neighborhoods.

8. Affordable Housing Policies: Implementing policies to ensure that a portion of new housing units are affordable to low- and moderate-income households, such as inclusionary zoning or affordable housing mandates.

Potential Sponsors and Stakeholders

The success of “GO BIG D” relies on collaboration with major public and private employers in the Dallas Metro Area, including:

Public Employers:

• Dallas Independent School District (DISD)

• City of Dallas

• Dallas County

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

• Parkland Health & Hospital System

Private Employers:

• Amazon

• AT&T

• American Airlines Group

• Baylor Scott & White Health

• Texas Health Resources

• Bank of America

• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

• JPMorgan Chase & Co.

• Southwest Airlines

• Goldman Sachs

• PepsiCo

• Fidelity Investments

• Capital One

• Citi

• Verizon

• EY (Ernst & Young)

• IBM

• Deloitte

• Toyota North America

• State Farm

• GM Financial

• Ericsson

• Bell Flight

• Charles Schwab

These organizations are critical to the region’s economy and can play a pivotal role in supporting housing initiatives that benefit their workforce and the broader community.

Conclusion

The “GO BIG D” initiative represents a bold and necessary step toward addressing Dallas’s attainable housing crisis. By leveraging city-owned land, fostering public-private partnerships, and implementing comprehensive housing strategies, Dallas can create a sustainable and inclusive housing market that supports its growing population and economic prosperity. This initiative not only aims to meet the immediate housing needs but also to lay the foundation for a resilient and vibrant community for generations to come.