DALTX Real EstateDALTX Real EstateDALTX Real Estate
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
Reading: Experts: Fort Worth Gentrification Could Be Addressed by Increasing Housing Options, Balancing Progress With Preservation
Share
Font ResizerAa
DALTX Real EstateDALTX Real Estate
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
Follow US
© DALTX. All Rights Reserved.
DALTX Real Estate > Fort Worth > Experts: Fort Worth Gentrification Could Be Addressed by Increasing Housing Options, Balancing Progress With Preservation
Fort Worth

Experts: Fort Worth Gentrification Could Be Addressed by Increasing Housing Options, Balancing Progress With Preservation

6 Min Read
SHARE
Contents
High Density, More Housing OptionsGreater Density Means More Housing Options 
Fort Worth

The City of Fort Worth is the fastest-growing municipality in Texas and city leaders say they’re struggling with gentrification, displacement, and a lack of attainable, affordable housing. 

Fort Worth influencers gathered Dec. 6 to discuss the topic as part of the Fort Worth Report’s “Candid Conversations” series. 

Unfortunately, the conversation happened in the same week that the Dallas Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee was reviewing minimum lot size requirements and an injunction was filed to halt enforcement of Dallas short-term rentals. And it fell right smack in the middle of a discussion at the Dallas City Council about Community Bond Task Force recommendations on the 2024 bond program. 

Fortunately, the Fort Worth gentrification discussion was hosted by our friends at The Fort Worth Report, so we’ve got you covered. 

The Fort Worth Report’s “Candid Conversations” series featured local experts weighing in on “preserving neighborhood integrity while fostering economic growth and inclusivity” and balancing progress with preservation. Some of the panelists even used the dreaded “G word.” 

High Density, More Housing Options

Gentrification has already become an issue in the predominantly working-class Hemphill neighborhood in Fort Worth’s Near Southside, officials said during the Dec. 6 panel discussion. 

https://daltxrealestate.com/2021/12/24/home-prices-in-near-southsides-hemphill-heights-move-skyward/

Mike Brennan, president of Near Southside Inc., talked about the importance of increasing residential density, making way for more housing. 

“Absolutely that’s a good thing,” Brennan said. “In fact, that’s essential. I think we as a country are in a current housing crisis because we had a lull in housing development … We just haven’t built enough houses.” 

Shawn Lassiter, executive director of BRAVE/R, said her organization is committed to creating greater housing density in the 76104 ZIP code, provided that resources like grocery stores and healthcare also are provided. 

“It’s been very important to not show up to a community with the plan already created,” she said. “It’s important to come, blank slate, and say, ‘What is it that you need?’ and not to force a particular vision on people, because that is the battle of gentrification. That is the problem with what we’re doing in this city, and we don’t want to repeat things that other cities have screwed up. Fort Worth, we can be different.’ 

Lassiter acknowledged that Fort Worth has screwed up in the past, leading to longtime residents being pushed out of their homes by larger, more expensive developments in their neighborhoods. 

“Our job and our goal, and my job while I’m here is to lead the effort [so] the community is heard because there’s a void there,” she said. “Gentrification is a void of culture.”

Greater Density Means More Housing Options 

Stacy Marshall, president and CEO of Southeast Fort Worth Inc., said his organization is trying to bring density through workforce housing.  

From left, panelists Mike Brennan, Joel Burns, Shawn Lassiter, and Stacy Marshall speak at a Dec. 6 Fort Worth Report Candid Conversation on gentrification in Fort Worth. (Photo Credit: Emily Wolf/Fort Worth Report)

It’s a topic that’s been covered by Fort Worth’s metro to the east, where Dallas city officials have recently debated whether reducing minimum lot sizes for new development would create more density, and thus more housing options, or destroy the character of single-family neighborhoods as we know them. 

“By bringing workforce housing into the area, we’re bringing in those higher incomes,” Marshall said. “One of the things, as an example, yesterday I did a tour with a developer and she said, ‘How many people live in this area?’ and so I had to explain to her that we’re still in the process of building up, and by building up that’s going to get us the grocery stores, that’s going to get us the clinics, that’s going to get us all the amenities, but we have to have a plan in place.”

The housing — the people — have to come first, Marshall added. 

https://daltxrealestate.com/2023/12/12/luxury-listings-with-lots-of-land-abound-in-fort-worth-texas-fastest-growing-city/

“We can’t expect the clinics to just pop up. We can’t expect the grocery stores to just pop up if we don’t have the people that are going to use them,” he said. 

Former Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns explained that while he was serving as an elected official he was often “accosted” by residents who wanted to talk about a zoning ordinance or other city business while he was out eating at a restaurant. 

“Those are the people who get results,” he said. “So stand up in front of your elected officials, go to city council meetings, and make sure the conversation includes you.” 

Evanston Approves Reparations For a History of Housing Discrimination Against Blacks Funded by Marijuana Sales
Dallas City Council’s Budget Prioritizes Housing Through Increased Funding And Policy Changes 
Finding The Right Home is The Battle For Texas Homebuyers
Fort Worth Agent Following in Her Mom’s Real Estate Footsteps
New ‘Homz’ Communities Apply Hotel Concepts to Rental Housing
TAGGED:Affordable housingCity of Fort WorthDensityFort Worth ReportgentrificationJoel BurnsMike Brennanminimum lot sizeShawn LassiterStacy Marshall
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article 12 Home Renovation Tips From 2 Total Pros
Next Article This Peak’s Suburban Addition Duplex Spells Opportunity
Popular News
Penny Cook

Tee Up to the Most Classic English Country Cottage in Preston Hollow: Yep, Trevino’s

Newly Unveiled Model at Timbers Kiawah
Get a Jump on Your Holiday Shopping This Weekend by Touring This Enclave at White Rock Home
“Ohh That’s Impeccable” And Other Phrases Inspired By 2113 Ash Grove Way
FLASH GIVEAWAY: Enter to Win a Pair of Patron-Level Tickets to Preservation Dallas’ Spring Architectural Tour of State Thomas!
about us

DaltxRealEstate.com is the largest real estate blog and the only one in North Texas.

Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us
  • Paid Guest Post Submission

Categories

  • Wednesday WTF
  • East Dallas
  • Monday Morning Millionaire
  • Upon Closer Inspection

Get Involved

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write for Us: Submit Guest Post

Find Us on Socials

© DALTX. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?