PILLAR: Vibrant
AGENDA DATE: August 25, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Office of Housing and Community Empowerment
PRIORITY: Innovation
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the (1) acceptance of a grant from the Gates Foundation through the National League of Cities Institute for the Building Economic Resilience in Communities Program in the amount of $25,000.00 to support and strengthen the economic resilience of residents and communities for the period June 15, 2026 through March 31, 2027; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 in the NLC Building Economic Resilience in Communities Grant Fund; (3) receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 in the NLC Building Economic Resilience in Communities Grant Fund; and (4) execution of the grant agreement with the National League of Cities Institute and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement, approved as to form by the City Attorney - Not to exceed $25,000.00 - Financing: NLC Building Economic Resilience in Communities Grant Fund
*In alignment with Drivers of Opportunity nexus.
Body
BACKGROUND
On December 10, 2025, the City Council adopted the policy framework for the Drivers of Opportunity by Resolution No. 25-1836. This framework expands and reframes the work initiated in 2018 through the Mayor’s Task Force on Poverty, which identified nine Drivers of Poverty through the Economic Opportunity Assessment to help create sustainable long-term City programs designed to address poverty.
On August 22, 2025, via memo, the City Manager outlined the merger of the former Office of Community Care and Empowerment, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Office of Homeless Solutions, and key functions of the Department of Housing and Community Development into the now Office of Housing and Community Empowerment (OHCE). The objectives of the departmental reorganization were to:
• Centralize a point of contact for residents to simplify navigation;
• Streamline operations to connect residents with housing, services and economic mobility;
• Incorporate national best practices and innovations;
• Leverage Community Centers as Opportunity Hubs; and
• Lead partnerships with anchor institutions, philanthropy and community leaders.
On June 11, 2026, the National League of Cities Institute (NLCI) selected the City of Dallas, as one of four cities nationwide, to participate in the Building Economic Resilience in Communities (BERC) program. The NLCI is the research and education affiliate of the National League of Cities, an organization comprised of city, town and village leaders that are focused on improving the quality of life for their constituents.
The BERC program provides cities with coaching and grant funding to test innovative ideas that will strengthen the economic resilience of residents and communities through the usage of Community Resilience Centers (CRC). A CRC is a place-based, wraparound service hub hosted by a municipality in partnership with different benefits and programs providers. Participation in the BERC program aligns with the City’s ongoing efforts within its Drivers of Opportunity framework to strengthen resident financial stability, improve service delivery, community engagement, and advance data-informed program design during a critical implementation period as a newly merged department.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the BERC grant are to support OHCE’s existing community resilience work specifically focusing on coordinating internal service delivery alignment, enhancing community engagement and expanding the role of the Martin Luther King and West Dallas Multipurpose Centers as Opportunity Hubs. There is an immediate opportunity to strengthen referral pathways, improve coordination among OHCE divisions, and reinforce a shared approach for connecting residents to services.
The internal alignment scope of work will include a series of facilitated meetings with OHCE leadership and program staff across divisions. Utilizing the Drivers of Opportunity framework, staff will examine how coordinated service delivery can improve resident outcomes and identify gaps in services. These meetings will help staff better understand the full range of services now housed within the department, identify opportunities for cross-division collaboration, and strengthen referral pathways across housing, homelessness response, supportive human services, youth engagement, senior services, and economic mobility programs.
The community engagement component will include neighborhood-based engagement events at selected community centers and service hubs. These events will increase resident awareness of available OHCE services, gather feedback on barriers residents face when trying to access support, and strengthen relationships with community partners. This work will be especially important for neighborhoods where residents may face challenges accessing services due to limited awareness, eligibility requirements, transportation barriers, language access needs, or difficulty navigating multiple systems.
Estimated Schedule of Project
• August 2026: Launch project, confirm implementation sites, identify staff leads, and develop an internal alignment meeting schedule.
• September - November 2026: Conduct internal department meetings to map services, identify referral pathways, and document service gaps across OHCE divisions.
• November - March 2027: Host community engagement events at selected sites to share information, gather resident feedback, connect residents to available services, track service outcomes.
• January - February 2027: Use staff and resident feedback to develop a draft Community Resilience Center service model, including referral pathways, partner roles, and opportunities for stronger coordination.
• March 2027: Finalize the service model, summarize lessons learned, and identify next steps for sustaining and expanding the approach.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on August 17, 2026. <https://cityofdallas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15764214&GUID=F856525C-CBAB-4536-8A4A-6FFEEF89687C>
The City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on August 21, 2026. <https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/FY25-26%20Memos/Upcoming%20OHCE%20Agenda%20Items%20Friday%20Memo.pdf>
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
NLC Building Economic Resilience in Communities Grant Fund |
$25,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |