FWHS News - Fort Worth Housing Solutions

Jan 13 2021

Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Development to Honor Legendary Basketball Coach

By Kristin Sullivan | News, Press Releases

210-unit ‘Hughes House’ to be Named for Famed Dunbar High School Mentor

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 13, 2021 – Fort Worth Housing Solutions will name the second mixed-income, multifamily development in the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative “Hughes House” in honor of Robert Hughes Sr., the winningest coach in the history of boys’ high school basketball.

Robert Hughes Sr.

Hughes, a former Stop Six resident, led the boys’ basketball program at Dunbar High School on Ramey Avenue from 1973 to 2005 and at the historic I. M. Terrell High School from 1958 to 1973, before the previously segregated campus closed.

Over his 47-year career, Hughes accumulated a 1,333-265 record, five state championships and 35 district championships. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. The 2019 documentary “5700 Ramey Ave.: The Story of Robert Hughes” memorialized his story.

Hughes House will be a 210-unit, mixed-use, mixed-income community at 4830 and 4908 E. Rosedale Street, east and west of Amanda Avenue, and on a portion of the former Cavile Place public housing site. Fort Worth Housing Solutions is seeking 9% low-income housing tax credits to help finance the development. The complex will include 166 units offered at reduced rents to qualified residents; 44 units would be available at market rates.

“Fort Worth Housing Solutions is thrilled to be able to honor Coach Hughes and his positive impact on generations of student-athletes who grew up in Stop Six and their families,” President Mary-Margaret Lemons said. “The Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative builds on the cohesiveness and rich history of this southeast Fort Worth community. Hughes House will be a lasting reminder of Coach Hughes’ commitment to hard work and perseverance.”

Robert “Bob” Hughes Jr., Dunbar’s head basketball coach since 2005, said his family is ecstatic to learn that the next phase of Stop Six housing will honor his father’s legacy. In addition to Robert Jr., the senior Coach Hughes has two daughters: Carlye J. Hughes, the Episcopal Bishop of Newark; and Robin L. Hughes, dean of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.

“My dad believed in a strong work ethic, pushing yourself to the limit and self-discipline – that’s all he knew. And that’s what I stress with my players,” Hughes Jr. said. “When you think of Stop Six, you think of my dad. He really put Stop Six, and Fort Worth, on the map, and it’s important to preserve that history.”

Hughes House is Phase II of the landmark Stop Six Choice Neighborhood effort that launched in 2020 when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded FWHS and the City of Fort Worth a $35 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant. Former Cavile Place residents who relocated as part of the redevelopment process have the right to return to the community as new FWHS properties come online.

The HUD grant will be spread across six phases of development and is expected to leverage $345 million in investment for the neighborhood. In all, Fort Worth Housing Solutions will develop more than 1,000 new units of mixed-income rental housing across the community. The City of Fort Worth plans additional infrastructure improvements, including a new community hub and aquatics center.

Construction of Cowan Place, a 174-unit senior living community called for in Phase I, is scheduled to begin in late spring or early summer at East Rosedale and Stalcup Road.

Fort Worth City Councilwoman Gyna Bivens, whose district includes Stop Six, added: “Coach Hughes is arguably the most nationally-recognized figure to come from Stop Six. His leadership, dedication to his students and investment in their future is worthy of this recognition. We’re indebted to his family and so pleased that his contributions will be etched into the bright future of our community.”

About Fort Worth Housing Solutions

Fort Worth Housing Solutions is changing the face of affordable housing by providing mixed-income rental and home ownership opportunities that provide the foundation to improve lives. The agency was established by the City of Fort Worth in 1938 to provide decent, safe housing for low- to moderate-income residents. Today, the FWHS portfolio includes 40 properties with almost 6,700 affordable units. The agency manages Housing Choice Vouchers that help families and individuals cover rental costs. FWHS works closely with numerous partners to promote economic independence and positive change in the lives of the more than 28,000 individuals we touch on a daily basis. Learn more at www.fwhs.org.

Media contact:
Kristin Sullivan
ksullivan@fwhs.org
cell 817-706-9811

Jan 11 2021

213

Fort Worth Housing Choice Voucher Wait List Opens, Jan. 25-29, 2021

By Kristin Sullivan | News, Press Releases, Uncategorized

Pre-applications Allow Qualified Residents to Join Lottery for Rental Assistance

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 11, 2021 – Fort Worth Housing Solutions, the public housing authority for the nation’s 13^th largest city, will open its wait list for the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program between 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, and 11:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. The wait list was last opened in November 2017.

Over the five-day period, qualified residents may apply online at www.applyfwhs.org. Disabled residents and others who need assistance applying may contact the housing agency at 817-333-3654. A team member will be available to assist from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 25-28. Individuals who previously applied for the HCV program must reapply.

FWHS will add a maximum of 5,000 qualified individuals to the wait list through Jan. 29. An applicant’s place on the list is based on a lottery system, not the time and date the pre-application was submitted. A pre-application does not guarantee a place on the list.

About 40 individuals leave the FWHS Housing Choice Voucher Program each month, making room for new participants pulled from the wait list. Applicants often must wait several years for his or her opportunity to obtain a rental assistance voucher. The “choice” portion of the program means that voucher holders may use their assistance to help cover rent at any property that accepts the voucher.

FWHS President Mary-Margaret Lemons

“Fort Worth Housing Solutions is pleased to be able to open our Housing Choice Voucher wait list for the first time in more than three years,” President Mary-Margaret Lemons said. “We know that thousands of Fort Worth families need assistance in covering rent, especially in these difficult economic times. Our agency is committed to making as many vouchers available as our budget allows each year.”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded FWHS 5,104 vouchers. But the agency’s budget allows it to allocate only about 4,500 vouchers at any time. FWHS has aggressively pursued additional vouchers as they become available, especially for special populations such as those reserved for veterans, persons with disabilities or the chronically homeless.

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

The Housing Choice Voucher program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

Am I eligible?

Eligibility is determined by income and household size and is limited to U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family’s income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the Fort Worth area. For an individual it is $28,550 and for a family of four it is $40,750. View the 2020 HUD Income Limits here.

How much is a Housing Choice Voucher worth?

Voucher holders pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent. FWHS determines the total rent based on what is considered reasonable. The housing authority pays the difference between the resident’s payment and the approved rent. The maximum rent FWHS can pay for new voucher holders is based on Small Area Payment Standards that are set to the ZIP code location of the rental property.

I’m a landlord? How Can I Join the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

FWHS is always recruiting good landlords who want to help individuals and families find safe, affordable housing with a guaranteed payment stream. FWHS landlords benefit from prompt rental payments directly deposited to a designated bank each month; payment adjustments if a voucher holder’s income is reduced and reported timely; regular inspection of units; and a requirement that voucher holders take a “Good Neighbor/Good Tenant” class.

For more information, please contact Landlord Liaison RaVonda Thompson at rthompson@fwhs.org.

About Fort Worth Housing Solutions

Fort Worth Housing Solutions is changing the face of affordable housing by providing mixed-income rental and home ownership opportunities that provide the foundation to improve lives. The agency was established by the City of Fort Worth in 1938 to provide decent, safe housing for low- to moderate income people. Today, the agency operates 40 properties with almost 6,700 affordable units and manages Housing Choice Vouchers that help families and individuals cover rental costs. Fort Worth Housing Solutions works closely with numerous partners to promote economic independence and positive change in the lives of the more than 28,000 individuals we touch on a daily basis. Learn more at www.fwhs.org.

Media contact:
Kristin Sullivan, FWHS Communications Manager
ksullivan@fwhs.org, 817-333-3405

Dec 21 2020

Fort Worth Housing Solutions Opens New Permanent Supportive Housing Community

By Kristin Sullivan | News, Press Releases

Converted Hotel Provides Efficiency Apartments to Chronically Homeless at Risk of COVID-19

FORT WORTH, Texas, December 21, 2020 – Fort Worth Housing Solutions, development partner Ojala Partners, LP of Dallas, the City of Fort Worth and a coalition of agencies that care for the homeless are celebrating the opening of Casa de Esperanza, the city’s largest permanent supportive housing effort to date.

The fast-tracked project is the result of collaboration between the public housing authority, social service agencies and the city, which provided FWHS $9.3 million in CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funding in September to convert an extended-stay hotel into a 119-unit assisted housing community. Residents have access to “wrap-around” services, including mental health support, healthcare, nutrition and job training. A majority of units will be leased by Dec. 30.

Greg Gibson, one of the first Casa de Esperanza residents

“It’s just fantastic,” said Greg Gibson, 59, who had been camping outdoors in various Fort Worth locations for the past eight years before he signed his lease Dec. 3. “Being able to come in and lock the door definitely puts my mind at ease… It looks like this is going to be really good for the homeless community to have something like this. I’ve never heard of it happening before, especially not this quickly.”

Casa’s single-occupancy units are available to residents who have been homeless for 12 consecutive months or more, are disabled, and either 65 years or older or who have health conditions making them vulnerable to COVID-19. Prospective residents are referred from a coordinated list managed by Tarrant County Homeless Coalition. Units include full-size beds, TVs, wi-fi service, baths and kitchenettes stocked with microwaves, cookware and a refrigerator.

“Our city, and members of the Fort Worth City Council, have been focused on increasing access to permanent supportive housing for our homeless neighbors and other vulnerable people for the past several years,” Mayor Betsy Price said. “It’s wonderful to see this most recent investment so rapidly provide homes to those in need, especially during 2020 and this holiday season.”

FWHS President Mary-Margaret Lemons said: “Our agency is proud to play a small part in this effort. It really took a village to get the project done on time and would not have happened without the City of Fort Worth, Ojala, Presbyterian Night Shelter, MHMR, JPS Health Network, DRC Solutions, Union Gospel Mission, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition and many others.

“We are thankful for city’s investment of CARES Act dollars in permanent supportive housing that will serve the community for years to come, and we are grateful to each of our partners for supporting this monumental effort.”

The City awarded FWHS funding for the development in late September. The agency closed on the property, near Northeast Loop 820 and North Beach Street, Oct. 1. That left roughly eight weeks for Ojala Holdings to remodel units and gut and upgrade offices and common meeting areas.

“This property conversion required effective teamwork across all organizations – from the City of Fort Worth to Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the agencies that serve the homeless – to deliver quality homes to our residents on deadline,” said Matthew Vruggink, Ojala principal. “It has been incredibly rewarding to rehabilitate this property and know that we have played a role in helping people get their lives back on track.”

City officials have estimated that there are about 1,800 homeless persons in Fort Worth and that as many as a third are chronically homeless. Casa de Esperanza’s 119 units make it Fort Worth’s largest permanent supportive housing community to date, said Tara Perez, manager of the city’s Directions Home program.

Other smaller properties that provide similar services are the Palm Tree Apartments off Race Street; Samaritan House in the Near Southside; and the future New Leaf community to open in Spring 2021 off River Oaks Boulevard.

Gibson, 59, said he struggled with a lack of nutrition and mental health issues and did not think he would make it through another winter – until he heard that he had been approved to move to Casa de Esperanza.

“As I got older, it was just so much more difficult to bear the heat and the cold weather and the outdoor environment,” he said. “But this seems to take care of most of the issues I was having… It’s definitely going to add years to my life and improve my mental health, physical health.”

About Fort Worth Housing Solutions

Fort Worth Housing Solutions is changing the face of affordable housing by providing mixed-income rental and home ownership opportunities that provide the foundation to improve lives. Established by the City of Fort Worth in 1938, FWHS now operates 40 properties with almost 7,000 units and manages about 7,000 vouchers that help families and individuals cover rental costs. FWHS works closely with numerous partners to promote economic independence and positive change in the lives of more than 28,000 individuals each day. Learn more at www.fwhs.org.

About Ojala Partners, LP

Ojala is a privately-owned, Texas-based, Texas-focused real estate development firm dedicated to acquiring, developing and redeveloping mission-driven, multifamily residential and very select commercial assets, using best-in-class practices in markets or sectors that typically draw lesser competition. We define mission-driven housing as safe, sustainable housing that integrates itself seamlessly within a community and is affordable to a diverse mix of individuals and families. Currently, Ojala’s portfolio consists of nearly 4,000 homes, of which nearly 2,100 are affordable at various income levels. Visit www.ojalaholdings.com for more information.

Media contact:
Kristin Sullivan, ksullivan@fwhs.org, 817-706-9811

Oct 14 2020

FWHS Releases Architectural Renderings for Cowan Place Senior Living

By Kristin Sullivan | News, Press Releases, Stop Six CNI

Mixed-Income Community Forms Phase I of Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, October 14, 2020 – Fort Worth Housing Solutions and development partner McCormack Baron Salazar have finalized architectural renderings for Cowan Place, the mixed-income, senior living community that forms Phase I of the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative.

The 174-unit, four-story development south of East Rosedale Street and west of Stalcup Road will feature stucco, brick and metal facades in a contemporary design notable for its lighted “lantern” that signals a bright, modern future for one of Fort

Worth’s historic communities, architects say.

“The idea is that if you are headed west on Rosedale, you will see immediately that something is different in this community,” said Michael Bennett, principal and CEO of Bennett Benner Partners, Cowan Place architect. “It’s a building that is modern, crisp and forward-looking.”

Fort Worth City Councilwoman Gyna Bivens, whose District 5 includes Stop Six, called the renderings “breathtakingly beautiful” and an emblem of renaissance for Stop Six.

“Not only is this apartment complex a gateway to the west, it is also a beacon welcoming senior citizens who will call it home,” Bivens said. “When you think of the access to services that will be available to senior citizens and the larger community, Cowan Place will definitely be a social anchor in this community.”

FWHS President Mary-Margaret Lemons added: “We are thrilled to see this first residential development taking shape and humbled to know that older Stop Six residents soon will have a new, modern housing choice in their neighborhood. We are grateful to the many Stop Six residents, community leaders and service providers who have shared their input throughout this process and continue to help make the vision for the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood a reality.”

Lou Bernardy, McCormack Baron Salazar senior vice president and director of development for Texas added: “We are very pleased about how the development plan for Cowan Place has evolved with the input and support from residents and stakeholders. Cowan Place will set a new standard for senior living in the Stop Six community.”

HUD Choice Neighborhood

The $35.3 million Cowan Place is the first of six planned phases of affordable housing for this southeast Fort Worth community and the first new housing development of any magnitude in Stop Six in decades. The development is named for Alonzo and Sarah Cowan, who purchased three acres in the community in 1902 and donated land for the area’s first church. Stop Six initially was known as Cowanville in recognition of the family’s contribution and later renamed for its post on a Fort Worth-Dallas electric streetcar line.

In April 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the City of Fort Worth a coveted $35 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative Implementation Grant to seed development outlined in a related Transformation Plan. In all, Fort Worth Housing Solutions will develop more than 1,000 new units of mixed-income rental housing across the community. The HUD grant is expected to leverage $345 million in investment over six years for the neighborhood.

McCormack Baron Salazar, the nation’s leading for-profit developer, manager and asset manager of economically-integrated urban neighborhoods, is the Housing lead partner for the initiative. Urban Strategies Inc., a nonprofit specializing in data-driven human capital strategies, is leading the People portion of the revitalization plan, while the City of Fort Worth is leading the Neighborhood piece.

Modern Amenities

Cowan Place plans call for 163 one-bedroom units and 11 with two-bedrooms. Each unit will have washer and dryer connections in the units, but space is also provided for community laundry areas where residents can visit.

The development will wrap around a central courtyard terraced to fit the natural slope of the site. Ground-floor community spaces include room for a library and theater, fitness studio, salon, billiards, crafts and private meetings with healthcare professionals. Common spaces are designed to open out onto the courtyard. Many of the large oak trees on the vacant site will be preserved.

The plan also includes an exterior art wall at the main entry facing Stalcup, a space that could bring residents together with area high school or university students to create community exhibits, Bennett said.

Rents will be reduced for qualified low-income households. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2021 with substantial completion in Fall 2022. Cowan Place should provide homes for up to 48 former Cavile residents who wish to return to their neighborhood.

About Fort Worth Housing Solutions

Fort Worth Housing Solutions is changing the face of affordable housing by providing mixed-income rental and home ownership opportunities that provide the foundation to improve lives. The agency was established by the City of Fort Worth in 1938 to provide decent, safe housing for low- to moderate income people. Today, the agency operates 40 properties with almost 6,700 affordable units and manages about 6,000 vouchers that help families and individuals cover rental costs. Fort Worth Housing Solutions works closely with numerous partners to promote economic independence and positive change in the lives of the more than 25,600 individuals we touch on a daily basis. Learn more at www.fwhs.org.

Media contact:
Kristin Sullivan
ksullivan@fwhs.org
work 817-333-3405

Jul 22 2020

Fort Worth Housing Solutions Promotes Two to Leadership Roles

By Kristin Sullivan | News, Stop Six CNI

FORT WORTH, Texas – Fort Worth Housing Solutions has promoted a longtime, accomplished executive to be the agency’s deputy director and appointed a senior team member with a history of successful client and community engagement to direct the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative.

Sonya A. Barnette

Sonya A. Barnette has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Deputy Director for Public Housing, Housing Operations and Client Services. She also will manage the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the agency and the City of Fort Worth in April 2020.

Barnette reports to FWHS President Mary-Margaret Lemons, who has led the agency since December 2017 and who served as its General Counsel from 2015 to 2017.

Barnette joined Fort Worth Housing Solutions in 1993 as a Resident Liaison Coordinator. She previously served as Vice President of Housing Operations and Client Services and was responsible for the oversight of public housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) site conversions, relocations, and multiple grant-funded programs, including Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Continuum of Care, Directions Home, Health Community Collaborative, Single Room Occupancy (SRO), Family Self-Sufficiency/Homeownership Program and Resident Services.

During her tenure, Barnette has helped transform public housing through the RAD program, which added 1,625 affordable units to Fort Worth Housing Solutions’ portfolio. She also helped establish one of HUD’s first Family Investment Centers, a Neighborhood Network center and HUD’s first Texas EnVision Center at Fort Worth’s Martin Luther King Community Center on Truman Drive.

Prior to moving to Texas, Barnette served as an assistant director for Northeastern Family Institute and as a program manager for Communities for People, both in Massachusetts. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Suffolk University in Boston.

Lachelle Goodrich

Lachelle Goodrich has been promoted to Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative Director. Goodrich joined FWHS in 2002, left to teach middle school history for three years, and returned to the agency in 2012.

In recent years, Goodrich has served as the agency’s Resident Opportunity & Self Sufficiency Services Coordinator and as coordinator for the EnVision Center. Her work has focused on connecting residents of the former Cavile Place public housing community in Southeast Fort Worth with community resources. She has helped more than 220 families find new homes as the neighborhood revitalization plan advances.

In her new role, Goodrich will ensure that former Cavile residents are supported throughout implementation of the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood initiative and that those who wish to return to their neighborhood are able to do so. She reports to Ms. Barnette.

Goodrich earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from American Intercontinental University and a master’s degree in professional counseling from Amberton University. She also is a Licensed Professional Counselor with private practice serving children and families throughout Texas.

Lemons congratulated Barnette and Goodrich and said: “Fort Worth Housing Solutions and Fort Worth overall are fortunate to have talented, experienced leaders like Sonya Barnette and Lachelle Goodrich, both of whom are fully committed to ensuring that our clients and their families have safe, affordable homes and access to the services they need to fulfill their potential. We congratulate these two women on their promotions and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to have on Fort Worth.”

About Fort Worth Housing Solutions

Fort Worth Housing Solutions is changing the face of affordable housing by providing mixed-income rental and home ownership opportunities that provide the foundation to improve lives. The agency was established by the City of Fort Worth in 1938 to provide decent, safe housing for low- to moderate income people. Today, the agency operates 40 properties with almost 6,700 affordable units and manages about 6,000 federal vouchers that help families and individuals cover rental costs. Fort Worth Housing Solutions works closely with numerous partners to promote economic independence and positive change in the lives of the more than 25,600 individuals we touch on a daily basis. Learn more at www.fwhs.org.

About the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative

The Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative is an effort to transform a long-overlooked and historic neighborhood in Southeast Fort Worth into a vibrant, sustainable community with the attributes – education, healthcare, safety, services, and amenities – of a “neighborhood of choice.” A guiding community-driven Transformation Plan calls almost 1,000 new residential units developed in six phases of walkable, mixed-income developments and a community hub that provides central access to essential services, such as recreational outlets, early learning programs and job training programs, among others.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Fort Worth a $35 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant in April 2020 to seed the plan. HUD’s investment is anticipated to generate nearly $345 million in development and improvements for Stop Six.

Media contact:

Kristin Sullivan
ksullivan@fwhs.org
c 817-706-9811

Jul 20 2020

M/WBE Consultant Selected for Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Development First Phase

By Kristin Sullivan | Business Opportunities, News, Press Releases, Stop Six CNI

Arlington-based dlb Consultants Will Connect Contractors, Workers with Business Opportunities

Fort Worth Housing Solutions is pleased to announce the selection of dlb Consultants of Arlington to provide construction support consulting services for the first phase of Cowan Place, a senior living community that will kick off residential development for the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative.

Cowan Place preliminary site plan

The Arlington-based firm, led by founder Demetria Bivens, will create, direct, implement and manage the Section 3 and Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program for the community of one- and two-bedroom units tailored for seniors. Cowan Place will be built south of East Rosedale Street between Andrew Avenue and Stalcup Road. Its name honors early Stop Six settlers Alonzo and Sarah Cowan, who donated land for the community’s first church. Construction is expected to begin in March 2021.

McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS), a nationally recognized developer of economically integrated neighborhoods, will manage dlb Consultants’ Cowan Place work in its role as the partner for the Housing portion of the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan. MBS also is managing the work of general contractor Block Companies of Baton Rouge, La., and Bennett Benner Partners, the Fort Worth-based architect of record.

Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the City of Fort Worth, as co-recipients of a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant, are required to provide employment, contracting and other economic opportunities to low- and very-low income persons and to businesses that provide economic opportunities to low- and very-low income persons.

“Fort Worth Housing Solutions is thrilled to have dlb Consultants on board for the first phase of our Stop Six Choice Neighborhood development,” President Mary-Margaret Lemons said. “We are committed to ensuring that women and minority-owned businesses and community residents participate in this transformational initiative that promises to drive new economic activity in one of our city’s historic communities.”

HUD awarded Fort Worth a $35 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant in April to replace the obsolete Cavile Place public housing community in Stop Six and to seed new residential and other economic development in the area. The transformation plan for the community calls for almost 1,000 new residential units developed in six phases of walkable, mixed-income developments and a community hub that provides central access to essential services, such as recreational outlets, early learning programs and job training programs, among others.

dlb Consultants previously provided M/WBE consulting services for the renovation and restoration of the historic Statler Hotel and Residences in downtown Dallas, for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s Integrated Operations Center, and for the Texas Live! Development in Arlington’s entertainment district. The firm also provided on-site safety consulting services for Parkland Health & Hospital System’s Outpatient 2 Clinic.

dlb’s team for the Cowan Place development includes Tonya Veasey, CEO and founder of Open Channels Group, and Jonathan Morrison, president of Be Leveraged, both of Fort Worth. Veasey’s firm will assist with communications and outreach for the M/WBE effort, while Morrison will amplify outreach and community networking efforts to achieve the Section 3 participation goals for the project, Bivens said.

Fort Worth City Councilwoman Gyna Bivens grew up in Stop Six and represents the neighborhood today. She is not related to Demetria Bivens.

“I am delighted that a local team has been selected to engage minority- and women-owned businesses in this first phase of our neighborhood’s transformation,” Councilwoman Bivens said. “dlb Consultants is recognized nationally for its expertise in M/WBE stewardship. With the firm’s Fort Worth partners, we can be sure that Stop Six residents will be aware of opportunities available under HUD’s Section 3 Program so that they benefit from the jobs and businesses this initiative will bring.”

Demetria Bivens said that Fort Worth businesses and residents are “eager to understand how to get involved in this historic development.”

“We are working with the general contractor to make sure firms get pre-qualified so there are no barriers to their engagement,” Bivens said, citing opportunities for contractors, subcontractors and apprentices in the areas of mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades, for example. “We are actively looking for people who work in the community and who live in Fort Worth. We want to leave this community better than it was before, and part of that is making sure that community members are hired for this work.”

Fort Worth Housing Solutions has set the following participation goals for Section 3 and M/WBE participation in the first phase of the Cowan Place development:

Activity	Target	Participation Goal
Construction	M/WBE	25%
Professional Services	M/WBE	15%
Section 3 Businesses	Section 3	10% of Total Dollar Amount
Section 3 Hiring	Section 3	30% of New Hires
Section 3 Non-Covered Construction Services	Section 3	3% of Total Dollar Amount

Download the Block Builders Subcontactor Pre-Qualification Form here.

About Fort Worth Housing Solutions

Fort Worth Housing Solutions is changing the face of affordable housing by providing mixed-income rental and home ownership opportunities that provide the foundation to improve lives. The agency was established by the City of Fort Worth in 1938 to provide decent, safe housing for low- to moderate income people. Today, the agency operates 40 properties with almost 6,700 affordable units and manages about 6,000 federal vouchers that help families and individuals cover rental costs. Fort Worth Housing Solutions works closely with numerous partners to promote economic independence and positive change in the lives of the more than 25,600 individuals we touch on a daily basis. Learn more at www.fwhs.org.

About the City of Fort Worth, Texas

With more than 909,000 residents and almost 350 square miles, Fort Worth, Texas is the 13^th-largest city in the United States and the fifth-largest city in Texas. It is the county seat of Tarrant County and includes portions of five counties: Denton, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise. Fort Worth is home to American Airlines, Alcon and BNSF Railway, among other corporate headquarters. The city is known for its western heritage, world-renowned museums, hospitality and its diverse neighborhoods. About 35 percent of residents are Hispanic or Latino, 19 percent of residents are black, 4.2 percent are Asian with the balance being white or other ethnicities.

About McCormack Baron Salazar

McCormack Baron Salazar is the nation’s leading for-profit developer, manager and asset manager of economically-integrated urban neighborhoods. Since 1973, the firm has been an innovator in community development and urban revitalization in 47 cities, having built more than 22,000 high-quality homes for families, children, seniors and veterans. Learn more at www.mccormackbaron.com.

Apr 23 2020

FORT WORTH AWARDED $35 MILLION CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS GRANT

By Kristin Sullivan | News, Stop Six CNI

Grant to Fund Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan Initiatives

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 23, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS) and the City of Fort Worth with a coveted $35 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Implementation Grant to fund transformational revitalization projects in the Stop Six Neighborhood.

Architects’ rendering of the mixed-use, mixed-income development planned for East Rosedale Street and Amanda Avenue

The $35 million federal investment is anticipated to generate nearly $345 million in development and improvements in the Stop Six Neighborhood. For eight years, Stop Six residents, FWHS and the City have worked together to methodically plan the large-scale revitalization of the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood. The resulting Transformation Plan captures a shared vision for the area: to create a vibrant, sustainable community with the attributes – education, healthcare, safety, services, and amenities – of a “neighborhood of choice.”

“I’m thrilled to receive this wonderful news, because Stop Six is such a special neighborhood, located right in the heart of our city, with a distinctive and vibrant history worth preserving,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Over the years, we’ve had hundreds of residents and stakeholders share their dreams for Stop Six, and with this grant from HUD, our coalition of partners can start the work to begin to realize those dreams. This proves, once again, that when Fort Worth works together, we will accomplish great things.”

“Winning the Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant is a game-changer that will transform the face of Stop Six and the entire Southeast Fort Worth area,” said Councilwoman Gyna Bivens. “This grant allows Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the City of Fort Worth to jointly focus beyond simply replacing housing units after Cavile is demolished, to also focus on those things that provide a sense of neighborhood, such as schools, community policing, faith institutions and commercial development like a grocery store.”

“Today’s award would not have been possible without the hard work and contributions of the residents, the community, and our more than 40 public and private sector partners,” added Mary-Margaret Lemons, FWHS President. “These funds will further our collective vision to transform Stop Six into a mixed-income, mixed-use, sustainable neighborhood that will provide quality affordable housing for all income levels.”

The Stop Six Transformation Plan features: the replacement of 300 existing public housing units at Cavile Place with 990 mixed-income rental units in six phases of housing development; the construction of a Neighborhood Hub with co-located recreational, educational, health and safety services; and the provision of case management and educational, health and economic mobility supportive services for Cavile residents.

The Stop Six Transformation Initiative includes an experienced and committed team that consists of FWHS and co-applicant, The City of Fort Worth, along with McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS), Urban Strategies, and the Fort Worth ISD. CVR Associates provided Choice Neighborhood consulting services.

Community partners for the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant application included: AB Christian Learning Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Brighter Outlook, Camp Fire First Texas, Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Center for Transforming Lives, Childcare Associates, Chua Huong Dao, Clayton Youth Services, Cook Children’s Healthcare System, Early Learning Alliance, EnVision Center, Fort Worth Bike Sharing, Fort Worth ISD, Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth, Healthy Tarrant County Collaborative, IDEA Public Schools, John Peter Smith Clinic, MBS Urban Initiatives CDE, Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, The Morris Foundation, My Health My Resources of Tarrant County, One Safe Place, Pathfinders, Paul Quinn College, Read Fort Worth, Reading Partners, Tarrant County College, Texas Wesleyan College, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corp., United Way of Tarrant County, University of North Texas – Center for Health Sciences, Urban Theory, Urban Village Family Services, Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County, and YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth.

HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is a landmark program that promotes a comprehensive approach to support locally driven strategies for neighborhood revitalization. The program helps communities transform neighborhoods by revitalizing severely distressed public housing and catalyzing critical improvements in the neighborhood, including vacant property, housing, businesses, services and schools.

Only three other communities received a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation award this year, including Los Angeles ($35 million), Winston-Salem ($30 million), and Philadelphia ($30 million).

Click here to view the full plan.

Media contact: Kristin Sullivan, ksullivan@fwhs.org, w 817-333-3405

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