As previously reported here on July 1st, the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association, at the request of District 10 Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen, has formed a Blue Ribbon Committee to help address concerns over the Dallas Housing Authority’s plans for permanent supportive housing in Lake Highlands.

On the evening of Thursday, July 22, the committee, which is made up of 20 individuals from the participating LHAIA member home owner organizations, had the opportunity to get first-hand information from DHA, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, and the City of Dallas.

Representing the Dallas Housing Authority at the meeting was Senior VP and COO, Troy Broussard, who has worked for DHA for 17 years.

President and CEO of Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, Mike Faenza, was also in attendance.

While DHA’s permanent supportive housing (PSH) plans recently changed after a decision to cancel the placement of 20 formerly incarcerated individuals at the Woodside Condominiums, the placement of 50 PSH program candidates who qualify under separate DHA and MDHA guidelines is moving forward.

Of the 50 individuals to be placed at Trinity Palms, 10 will arrive from The Bridge, the multi-purpose facility in downtown Dallas dedicated to serving the chronically homeless.

The 40 additional program participants will come from domestic violence program referrals sponsored by organizations like The Family Place and Salvation Army.

Made clear at the meeting last night was that as the Trinity Palms placements move forward, discussions will continue in an effort to explore how success of these programs can best be achieved.

According to both Broussard and Faenza, the concerns of the citizens of Lake Highlands have been heard, and the DHA and MDHA are committed to continuing community discussions with hopes of crafting a thorough "Good Neighbor Agreement."

Recommended by Councilman Allen, the intent of this Good Neighbor Agreement is to clarify member accountability and responsibilities of all parties involved in writing.

Moving forward, the major concern of the committee is how to achieve a more equitable distribution of PSH units throughout all Dallas council districts.

A lack of an overall methodology and comprehensive plans was acknowledged by both Broussard and Faenza during Thursday night's meeting.

"Subsequent to meetings like this, we are reviewing our current guidelines," said Broussard.

"An overall policy approach that is adopted by each independent organization in this process is being discussed."

"This would give all of us the opportunity to follow the same guidelines on some level in addressing how permanent supportive housing is currently being discussed.”

Steve Wakefield, who shared his opinions on the issue earlier this month, spoke with LH Today after the meeting.

"With this now being a ‘done deal,’ the overall feeling is that everyone is especially disappointed in the process that was used, and the complete failure to get input from the neighborhood prior to making these placements," he said.