As the Dallas City Council elections approach on May 3rd, candidates Paula Blackmon and Kathy Stewart are voicing their perspectives on pressing housing challenges in their respective districts.
Though their districts may be near each other, Paula Blackmon in Far East Dallas faces very different challenges than Kathy Stewart does in Lake Highlands.
Incumbent Blackmon is hoping for a fourth term as District 9 city councilwoman, with challenger Ernest P. Banda eager to seize the opportunity.
Incumbent Stewart, seeking a second term as District 10’s council member, is defending her position against Sirrano Keith Baldeo, who previously ran against her two years ago.
As a real estate-focused news outlet, CandysDirt.com reached out to the candidates regarding the housing issues their district neighborhoods are facing, as well as potential solutions to improve housing affordability in Dallas.
Voters unsure of their city council districts can search their address on the City of Dallas website or use the city’s ArcGIS map.
Both Blackmon and Stewart provided unedited and unabridged responses to the questions posed, while their respective opponents did not respond.
In District 9, Paula Blackmon notes that the area is experiencing a critical shortage of affordable housing options, significantly impacting long-time residents and essential workers like teachers, police officers, and nurses, who form the backbone of the community.
Rising property values and a limited supply of diverse housing stock have led to increased displacement and fewer choices for families in the district.
Blackmon asserts that the need for mixed-income developments and workforce housing is more urgent than ever to maintain the vibrancy and inclusivity of neighborhoods.
Throughout her tenure on the Dallas City Council, Blackmon has focused on improving the community while lowering taxes annually, thus easing financial burdens on residents.
She secured $20 million in bond funding for critical projects such as White Rock Lake dredging, demonstrating that strategic investments can lead to transformative change.
Blackmon outlines several initiatives she plans to pursue as a city council member to address housing affordability:
1. Modernize Zoning and Permitting: Reforming codes to encourage innovative housing solutions, from modest homes and duplexes to mixed-income developments.
2. Leverage Bond Funding: Utilizing bond dollars to invest in affordable housing projects, similar to her success with White Rock Lake.
3. Incentivize Mixed-Income Developments: Promoting policies that either require or encourage affordable units in new developments, ensuring that all community members can benefit from growth.
By building on her track record of fiscal responsibility and strategic community investments, Blackmon commits to working tirelessly to ensure that District 9 has safe, stable, and affordable housing for all.
Meanwhile, in District 10, Kathy Stewart highlights that the district boasts 36,854 housing units considered affordable for households within the 30%, 60%, and 80% Average Median Income levels — more affordable housing than any other district in the city.
She identifies that the primary housing need in District 10 is for residents looking to downsize into smaller homes, suggesting a different dimension to the affordability issue compared to District 9.
In addressing short-term rentals, Blackmon acknowledges the ongoing legal and practical challenges of regulating these properties in Dallas.
A recent appeals court decision allowed short-term rentals to continue operating in the city, necessitating a balanced, neighborhood-by-neighborhood regulatory approach that empowers local communities while ensuring legal robustness.
Key components of her proposed approach include:
– Registration and Taxation: Requiring all short-term rental properties to register with the city and pay appropriate taxes, such as hotel occupancy taxes, to ensure transparency and accountability.
– Clear, Enforceable Regulations: Developing standards that address occupancy limits, noise control, and other potential nuisances, crafted to withstand legal scrutiny.
– Community Engagement: Involving neighborhood associations in the decision-making process to tailor rules that reflect the specific needs and character of each area, maintaining residential quality of life.
Through her commitment to transparency and community-driven decision-making, Blackmon aims to refine the regulatory framework to support the economic benefits of short-term rentals while protecting neighborhood integrity.
Conversely, Kathy Stewart emphasizes the importance of preventing short-term rentals from disrupting neighborhood life.
She raises concerns about how these rentals often attract large gatherings, increasing the number of visitors and vehicles beyond what the properties are designed to accommodate.
Stewart asserts that the city must take necessary steps to protect its neighborhoods from the disruptive qualities associated with short-term rentals.
In terms of land use plans, Blackmon expresses support for the overall vision of ForwardDallas 2.0, which provides a framework for guiding sustainable and equitable growth in the city.
However, she notes that compromises made during its passage have left certain key issues unaddressed, particularly regarding affordable housing, community engagement, and neighborhood character.
Blackmon emphasizes the necessity for the plan to remain flexible and responsive during the transition from adoption to implementation.
She seeks concrete strategies to ensure that ForwardDallas 2.0 truly meets the diverse needs of residents, including the expansion of affordable housing options and the maintenance of neighborhood integrity.
Confident in her record of lowering taxes and securing substantial investments for the community, Blackmon plans to monitor the rollout of ForwardDallas 2.0 closely.
She intends to collaborate with city staff, community groups, and fellow council members to advocate for necessary refinements as the implementation progresses.
In District 10, Kathy Stewart played a pivotal role in developing a last-minute compromise for ForwardDallas 2.0, emphasizing how single-family homes are addressed within the plan.
She believes preserving existing neighborhoods and allowing residents to have meaningful input when changes are proposed is essential.
Stewart recently participated in a community meeting concerning a zoning change, which garnered attendance from 75-100 people, most of whom opposed the change.
She firmly states that she will support the community’s decision in such matters.
In light of public safety, Paula Blackmon proposes essential measures to enhance safety and community well-being in District 9.
This includes increasing the police budget to secure a larger, well-equipped police presence and enhancing street lighting to support community policing initiatives.
She has been working closely with the Dallas Police Department to address the significant public safety issue of speeding.
Through increased enforcement, strategic placement of traffic calming measures, and community education, she aims to make East Dallas streets safer for everyone.
Additionally, Blackmon emphasizes innovative crime prevention strategies, including initiatives like the Dallas Fentanyl Strike Force that utilize data-driven strategies to address opioid challenges.
Meanwhile, Kathy Stewart underlines the priorities of public safety and infrastructure, which she considers core responsibilities of the City of Dallas.
She advocates for retaining current DPD officers and bolstering recruitment efforts to improve response times and address crime effectively.
Stewart also hopes to build on the success of the Violent Crime Reduction plan focused on safety and engagement in the community.
Infrastructure-wise, she aims to tackle the basics, such as repairing potholes and repaving streets, with the valuable funding from the 2024 Bond program.
This includes a strong focus on measures to slow down traffic in neighborhood roads, which she sees as a vital step toward improving safety.
Paula Blackmon, a lifelong Texan and proud resident of District 9, highlights her proven track record as a three-term Dallas City Councilmember.
She emphasizes her success in lowering the tax rate each year, securing major investments like the $20 million for White Rock Lake dredging, and advocating for community-driven initiatives.
With a commitment to transparency, she aims to engage residents through open dialogue and community forums.
Moving forward, Blackmon plans to concentrate on expanding affordable housing, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring Dallas remains a city of opportunity for all.
She assures constituents that by listening to them and collaborating with fellow policymakers, she will continue to work towards sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits everyone in District 9.
As the election date nears, the responses from both Blackmon and Stewart highlight contrasting priorities, yet reinforce the critical nature of housing affordability and community engagement in Dallas today.
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