U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development
Consolidated Plan Contact
CITIZEN'S SUMMARY
The City of Grand Prairie is located between Dallas and Fort Worth. The affordability
of Grand Prairie's housing, the excellent school system, and the proximity of Grand Prairie
to the other cities in the metroplex combine to make Grand Prairie a desirable community in
which to live. Grand Prairie has a current population of 99,616.
Action Plan
In FY 1995, Grand Prairie will receive approximately $1,441,000 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $637,710 in HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds.
The Housing and Community Development Department solicits input and holds public
hearings to ascertain housing and community development needs, goals, and objectives of
the city.
Citizen Participation
The City of Grand Prairie provides for citizen participation in the CDBG program by giving
residents the opportunity to participate in determining the city's needs; to express
preferences about proposed activities; to assist in the selection of priorities; and to
participate in the development of an annual application. The public hearing process is used
as the official means of obtaining information. Various sources of outreach for soliciting
additional input includes CDBG monthly program meetings (held the third Wednesday of
each month), cable television, local and other media publications, mailings, and printed
materials. Community groups, nonprofit organizations, citizens, including persons with
special needs or interests, are contacted by mail directly to encourage their participation in
the development of the Consolidated Plan.
The City of Grand Prairie held a series of public hearings. A cable television notice ran daily
on the Community Access Channel, the water bill was utilized as a means of providing a
notice in English and Spanish, and notices were published to encourage citizen participation
in the public hearings. Following the public hearing process, the Consolidated Plan was
submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
COMMUNITY PROFILE
The total population of Grand Prairie is 99,616. The population of low- and
moderate-income areas is 22,567. This equates to approximately 23 percent of the total
population being low- and moderate-income. The city conducts the majority of programs
city-wide so that all low- and moderate-income persons of all racial and ethnic origins will
have an opportunity to access assistance. Housing that is in need of repair may be located
anywhere in the city limits. There are 35 census tract by block group that qualify as low-
and moderate-income areas geographically located in the city. A low- and moderate-income
area is defined by census tract or block groups where at least 51 percent of the persons
residing in the area have family household incomes at 80 percent or below the median area
income The CDBG funds are targeted to those areas..
Housing Needs
The city utilizes a need-based strategy to identify the housing assistance needs and define
objectives. Over the past 5 years, there has been an increasing need for affordable housing,
but there has been limited, and in some cases, no resources available to accomplish the
task. Grand Prairie has concentrated its efforts on rehabilitation of single-family, owner-occupied properties. Rehabilitation and affordable housing is the city's highest priority.
CDBG and HOME funds are the only sources available to Grand Prairie to address its housing
needs. Grand Prairie hopes to expand into housing for the elderly, homeless, and special
need groups.
Grand Prairie has also experienced an increase in the request for funding of public services.
Most requests at CDBG public hearings are housing and public service activities rather than
funding for infrastructure, parks, streets, etc.
Additionally, Grand Prairie has no public housing authority. Section 8 is the primary
resource for housing assistance payments. The Housing and Community Development
Department currently assists 1,121 families under the program.
Market Conditions
The current estimated 1990 housing analysis information indicates that the supply totals
39,927 housing units within the city. This includes 11,994 multi-family units, 26,276
single-family units, and 2,057 mobile homes. There have been only minor changes in the
number of multi-family units or mobile homes. The average persons-per-household is 2.54
with the average person per acre is 2.21. Thirty-nine percent of the stock is renter-
occupied with 61 percent owner-occupied. The conditions of the existing units reflects
38,569 complete kitchen facilities and 150 incomplete. Units totaling 38,626 have complete
plumbing facilities with 93 incomplete. There are 37,892 units that have access to public
sewers, 784 units use septic tanks, and 43 utilize other means. The cost for median value
of owner-occupied housing units is $68,600, and the median gross rent for rental housing is
$439.
Affordable Housing Needs
The affordable housing needs of very low-income, low-income, and moderate-income
families, homeless families, and individuals with special needs who require supportive
services, are very important to the city. Low- and moderate-income areas generally have
rents that are affordable to low- and moderate-income persons and the rents are not likely
to materially change. A rent reasonableness survey is performed routinely by the Section 8
program staff to substantiate current rents. Qualified applicants are assisted on a first-come, first-serve basis regardless of race, creed, or color. The city has determined that the
lower income minority household needs in Grand Prairie are being served, supported by the
fact that no housing discrimination complaints have been made and the projects and
activities are being conducted in neighborhoods where there appears to be an influx of low-income minorities. Additionally, Grand Prairie has defined a great need for low- and
moderate-income home ownership opportunities. State-wide, it is estimated that only a
very small portion of the low- and moderate-income population are actually homeowners
although market inventory is available.
Additionally, the City of Grand Prairie can determine the condition of any housing unit
located within the low- and moderate-income areas based on data collected for the housing
survey conducted by the University of Texas at Arlington. The survey was conducted in all
low- and moderate-income census tracts and block groups. This survey indicated that a
vast majority of housing is being maintained in average condition.
There are 39,927 households in Grand Prairie. Of these, 6,768 (renters-4,422 owners-2,346) are very low-income. Large-family renters have the highest percent of housing
problems at 90 percent. The greatest need occurs when incomes are less than 30 percent
of median family income.
There are 6,396 low-income households in the jurisdiction: 3,325 are renters and 3,071 are
owners. Large-family renters have the highest percent of housing problems at 66 percent
although the need overall for renters (43 percent) and owners (41 percent) is approximately
the same. There are 3,512 moderate-income households: 1,462 are renters; 2,050 are
owners. As income increases, owners have the greatest percent of housing problems at 27
percent while renters are at 17 percent.
Other categories the city has specified as having needs included handicapped and disabled
persons, single individuals with dependent children, particular groups of low- and moderate-income households, subpopulations, populations with special needs other than homeless or
supportive housing, and minority household needs.
Homeless Needs
The city does not currently have a facility to house the homeless nor does it identify a great
need based on information provided by reliable data. It is the belief of the city that only two
adults are unsheltered. Needs of persons threatened with homelessness are usually serviced
through the Section 8 program. Because of the waiting time for assistance, these cases are
normally reclassified and are counted in the homeless numbers by means of a federal
preference. Various public services agencies provide food and clothing for the homeless.
The Section 8 program assists homeless persons and provides for a federal preference for
faster assistance.
The city does contain a facility to shelter battered women and children. The Brighter
Tomorrows entity was consulted and contacted regarding homelessness as it is the only
known source to assist the homeless. In order to address emergency shelter and transitional
housing needs of homeless individuals and homeless families with children; to prevent low-income individuals and families with children, especially those with incomes below 30
percent of median from becoming homeless; and to help homeless persons including persons
with special needs who require services to achieve and maintain independent living make
the transition to permanent housing and independent living, the city has developed a 5-year
homeless strategy.
Public and Assisted Housing Needs
The current housing needs for rental assistance are: 426 1-bedroom; 620 2-bedroom; 304
3-bedroom; 34 4-bedroom, with a total of 1,384. Of that total, 449 are black, 425 are
Hispanic, 510 are white/other, 58 are elderly, 125 are disabled/handicapped, and 1,384 are
low- or moderate-income. There is no information available for AIDS/HIV persons.
The Section 8 program waiting list is currently averaging a 1.5 year waiting period. The
waiting time does not appear to have resulted from a shortage of available units but from a
shortage of available certificates and vouchers. The availability list for rental units is
extensive. The following represents the actual allocation of certificates and voucher from
HUD:
CERTIFICATES VOUCHERS
236 1 bedroom 38 1 bedroom
325 2 bedroom 107 2 bedroom
253 3 bedroom 95 3 bedroom
31 4 bedroom 36 4 bedroom
845 TOTAL 276 TOTAL
1,121 GRAND TOTAL
No units were vacant over the past 6 months as the lease rate has been maintained at an
excess of 100 percent. Any available certificates or vouchers resulting from turnovers were
issued to waiting list applicants immediately. No losses from the assisted housing inventory
for any reason are anticipated.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
The city does not expect to be significantly impacted by the State and/or local public
policies, as embodied in statutes, ordinances, regulations, or administrative procedures and
processes which effect the development, maintaining, or improving affordable housing.
There are no known excessive, exclusionary, discriminatory or duplicative policies, rules and
regulations that will constitute barriers to affordability, including the jurisdiction's tax
policies affecting land and other property, land use controls, zoning ordinances, building
codes, code enforcement, fees and charges, growth limits, and policies
that affect the return on residential (including supportive housing) investment as generally accepted with
the market conditions.
Fair Housing
The city provides funding through the provision of fair housing services and counseling
which is available to all city residents. The city does not discriminate of the basis of race,
creed, color, religious origin, or family status. A fair housing officer is available to handle
complaints.
Lead-Based Paint
Based upon the 1990 Census Report and nationally recognized percentages, it is estimated
that approximately 15,878 housing units in Grand Prairie may have a lead hazard. It is also
estimated that 14,255 of these units may be low- and very low- income units.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to exactly pinpoint the number of housing units in a
community that have a lead hazard. The percentages used to determine these estimates are
directly related to the age of the city's housing stock. The city distributes appropriate
awareness material for applicable programs.
Community Development Needs
There is a large need for rehabilitation of single family structures, code enforcement,
clearance and demolition with some improvements needed to public spaces and public
facilities. There is also a demand for public service activity funding.
Coordination
Grand Prairie is a growing community and wishes to expand its services in any way possible
and available. Grand Prairie participates with municipalities, State, and federal offices in
coordinating efforts regarding any Consolidated Plan issues. The City of Grand Prairie
strives to obtain input through consultation with community groups, contact with
concerned citizens, and utilizes established committees. The list for 1995 included 25
contacts. The source list identifies agencies, groups, organizations, sources, and others
who participated in the development and preparation of the strategy.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Vision for Change
The city participates in these major HUD-funded programs to help develop and maintain a
desirable urban living environment for the citizens of Grand Prairie. These programs provide
the city with resources to undertake otherwise unavailable or limited public improvements,
facility improvements, and public services which benefit persons who are of low- and
moderate-income.
Housing and Community Development Objectives
The objectives are based the city's desire to provide safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable
housing to prospective renters and homeowners and the need to expand services provided
through available resources. General policies for allocating funding is usually the decision of
the City Council after is received from the general public, entities, advisory boards, and
commissions.
Housing and Community Development Priorities
Grand Prairie has given priority to very low-income persons (50 percent or less of the
median income) due to the resources. The local housing market and inventory conditions
seems adequate although there are no programs with the exception of Section 8 for low-
and very low-income households to obtain a rent-assisted unit. The Section 8 program
waiting list is currently closed and no applications are being taken. The longest waiting list
is for two-bedroom units. In reference to the CDBG program, area priorities are set by
census tracts and block groups where at least 51 percent of the persons are low- and
moderate-income and all income categories range from 80 percent and below the median.
Housing Priorities
Priority 1: To prevent the decline and deterioration of single-family and multi-family
owner-occupied and renter-occupied structures while preserving and expanding the
availability of housing for low- and moderate- income persons and families.
Priority 2: Increase supply of decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the elderly and
persons with special needs.
Priority 3: Increase supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income
persons and families through rental and homeownership programs.
Priority 4: Securing related programs to improve program services and program
benefits for low- and moderate-income persons which will better the community and
improve the social and economic stability of low- and moderate-income persons.
Non-Housing Community Development Priorities
The city did not identify any non-housing community development needs.
Anti-Poverty Strategy
The city is currently developing strategies for reducing poverty, including job skills training
programs, improved social services, affordable child care, education opportunities; and job
opportunities from the development of a Class A racetrack. A barrier preventing households
from overcoming poverty can be attributed to the non-availability of jobs, the increased
unemployment rate, and the lack of adequate education and training.
Housing and Community Development Resources
Federal funding received by the city includes the Community Development Block Grant,
Housing Opportunities for Everyone (HOPE 3), HOME, Emergency Shelter Grant, Family Self-Sufficiency, Section 8, Section 202, Section 811, and Section 8 reserves. The city does
not anticipate any local housing funds from non-federal public sources other than internal
support services provided through general fund and indirect costs. Private resources may
include financial institutions. There are no sources for housing activities provided by
nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit public services activities funded through CDBG
contribute to their respective programs through other sources, i.e., cash donations, United
Way funds, and in-kind services.
Coordination of Strategic Plan
The city will continue to pursue all funding avenues and resources to assist outside
organizations and public services providers, both private and public. It will also continue to
provide technical assistance in securing other funding sources (federal and non-federal).
The city will continue to break down barriers in an effort to streamline and increase
coordination efforts.
The city has well established relationships with local public institutions. The city has
worked closely with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Grand Prairie
Independent School District, county offices, and other local municipalities. These
relationships have built networks in order to share relevant information.
The city has been working with nonprofit organizations since 1987. Because of close
working relationship with a large number of nonprofit organizations and utilization of a
directory of services, low- and moderate-income persons have many resources available.
Other housing nonprofit organizations have also received funding from the city through
hotel/motel funding. The city also provides technical assistance to nonprofit organizations
in grant writing to assist them in securing additional needed services within the city.
The city has held discussions with the majority of local banks and lending institutions.
Because of the Community Reinvestment Act, the banks have agreed to provide
rehabilitation loans as well as permanent financing for the homeownership program. The
city will continue its efforts to involve private industry in creating joint ventures for
affordable housing. Currently, the city is designing a "Neighbor-to-Neighbor" program which
will involve the Chamber of Commerce and local contracting businesses.
ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN
Description of Key Projects
Key projects include clearance and demolition, rehabilitation of single-family homes, public
services, public facilities and improvements, fair housing services, and public works. The
city will provide housing rehabilitation and reconstruction to assist approximately 32 single
family, owner-occupied units through its first year of HOME entitlement funds.
Locations
Program and projects are city-wide for the housing rehabilitation program, the rental
rehabilitation program, and the HOME program. Public services, including Dallas Service
Education Rehabilitation (SER), Family Self-Sufficiency, child care assistance, Brighter
Tomorrows (a shelter for battered women and children), Children First center (for abuse
counseling), and the Grand Prairie Police Athletic League, Inc. (for youth activities), are city-wide. Public families and improvements include Bowles Park improvements and a public
works project that will pave Dalway and Worthway Drive from Sherman to Jefferson
Streets. Other activities will be directed towards low- and moderate-income areas.
Lead Agencies
The lead agency is the Housing and Community Development Department with support and
coordination of other city departments, such as Parks and Recreation and Public Works.
Public services activities are carried out by subrecipients, such as Brighter Tomorrows,
YMCA, Children First, Police Athletic League, and Dallas SER.
Housing Goals
The specific goals for the one-year plan include rehabilitation of 75 single-family, owner-occupied units, completion of 9 replacement structures and/or new units, and completion
of Lennox House.
Maps
MAP 1 shows points of interest in the City of Grand Prairie.
MAP 2 shows points of interest in Grand Prairie with low- and moderate-income areas
shaded.
MAP 3 shows areas of minority concentration with low- and moderate-income areas
outlined.
MAP 4 shows unemployment data (1990) by block group, with low- and moderate-income
areas outlined.
MAP 5 shows selected CDBG projects to be funded during its 1995 program year, with
unemployment data shaded by block group and low- and moderate-income areas outlined.
For additional information, contact Sherie Goin at 214/237-8168.
Return to Texas' Consolidated Plans.
