The Walker Voucher Program: A Unique Opportunity for Dallas Landlords
The Dallas Housing Authority’s (DHA) Walker Settlement Voucher Program is a unique initiative aimed at promoting housing mobility and desegregation in the Dallas area. As a landlord, the possibility of receiving a Walker Voucher tenant can be both surprising and rewarding, offering benefits that extend beyond regular tenancy arrangements.
Understanding the Walker Settlement Voucher Program
The Walker Settlement emerged from a legal agreement designed to address historical housing discrimination in Dallas. The program’s primary goal is to enable Black participants in DHA’s housing programs to move into areas with lower minority populations and reduced poverty rates, thereby promoting equitable access to quality housing and community resources.
Criteria for the Walker Voucher Program
To participate in the Walker Voucher Program, tenants must meet specific criteria:
Eligibility: Primarily available to Black participants currently on DHA’s voucher program or waiting lists.
Location Requirements: Tenants are required to select housing in designated Eligible Census Tracts (ECTs), which are areas identified as having lower minority concentrations and poverty rates.
Benefits for Landlords
While I haven’t yet had the opportunity to lease to a Walker Voucher holder, the program offers several advantages that make it an appealing prospect:
Competitive Payment Standards: DHA sets Walker Voucher payment standards at 125% of the HUD-published Fair Market Rents (FMRs), which are higher than the typical rates for standard Housing Choice Vouchers.
Financial Incentives: Landlords may receive bonuses, such as up to $1,000 for leasing new units to Walker Voucher participants.
Support Services: DHA provides assistance with application fees, moving expenses, security deposits, and utility connection fees for tenants, ensuring a smoother transition and reducing potential financial barriers.
Availability of Walker Vouchers
As of 2019, DHA had 2,646 Settlement Vouchers either in use or available for re-issuance to eligible participants. Given the specific eligibility criteria and targeted nature of the program, the likelihood of a landlord receiving a Walker Voucher tenant is relatively limited compared to standard Housing Choice Vouchers.
Conclusion
The Walker Settlement Voucher Program represents a meaningful effort to promote housing equity in Dallas. For landlords, the opportunity to participate in this program can be both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling, contributing to broader community development and desegregation efforts.
While I have yet to lease to a Walker Voucher holder, the possibility remains an exciting prospect, offering the chance to be part of a transformative initiative that benefits both tenants and landlords alike.
Schedule a consultation today to explore the possibilities.