NOTHING POLARIZES AN ASSEMBLY OF CITIZENS and civic leaders like a discussion about affordable housing. So, when the Dallas City Council, resolved to tackle a citywide shortage of accessible homes, met last year to consider the construction of multiple Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments, drama ensued. The thorniest proposal was for a 200-unit development in our neighborhood.

It looked promising on paper and garnered support from around the horseshoe. However, Lake Highlands representative Adam McGough, echoing his constituents’ concerns, said, “no way.” Following McGough’s impassioned dissent, the Council voted 9-6 to advance the project. (A few weeks later, angry neighbors took the fight to State Rep. John Turner D-Dallas, who by law was able to override the City Council’s decision. The apartments were never built.)

The neighbors’ and councilman’s opposition drew criticism from fellow councilors and City staff, who are under pressure to build homes and reduce what researchers at Up For Growth say, as of 2020, is an 87,000-unit deficit.

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