How Dallas homeowners can apply for city aid to fix homes damaged in winter storm

Dallas homeowners who need help paying for up to $10,000 in repairs because of last week’s snowstorm can apply for city aid starting Thursday.

The Dallas City Council on Wednesday approved funding a $2 million program to help residents pay for wall, floor and roof repairs, water damage from broken pipes and mold removal. Repairs to water, sewer and gas lines, and to electrical systems, plumbing fixtures and HVAC units are also eligible.

Only Dallas households that have experienced damage to their homes since Feb. 11 and earn at or below 80% of the area median income are eligible for the emergency home repair program. For a household of two in the Dallas area, that’s up to $55,200. For a household of four, it’s up to $68,950.

Homeowners already approved for home repair or reconstruction work through another city program, like the home improvement and preservation program, would be ineligible.

People applying for aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency can still be eligible for Dallas’ emergency home repair program.

Payments will be made either directly to a homeowner through reimbursement, or to at least one city-approved nonprofit that will use the funds to pay contractors who make the home repairs.

The city hasn’t identified any nonprofits that will be part of the program.

Thor Erickson, an area redevelopment manager in the city’s housing department, said any group chosen would likely have its own application process. He said City Manager T.C. Broadnax would be in charge of selecting the nonprofits, but it’s unclear Thursday when that will occur.

The city is looking to get the money out “as quickly as possible,” Erickson said, but it’s not clear how long people will have to wait to be selected, to be reimbursed or have repair work paid for on their behalf.

He also said the city would collect demographic data on the people approved for home repairs and that officials would document the scope of the work.

How to apply

Homeowners can start applying for reimbursements through the city’s housing department Thursday by calling 214-670-3644 or filling out an online application and emailing it to hipp@dallascityhall.com. The application will be on the city’s website.

Residents will also have to provide proof of identification and household income, damages and home ownership. City landlords would only be eligible for repair funds to their own homes.