STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Economic and Neighborhood Vitality
AGENDA DATE: September 25, 2019
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
DEPARTMENT: Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization
EXECUTIVE: Michael Mendoza
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize (1) an amendment to the City of Dallas Comprehensive Housing Policy (CHP), previously approved on May 9, 2018, by Resolution No. 18-0704, as amended, to add a Title Clearing and Clouded Title Prevention Pilot Program to help clear title for low-to-moderate income families in order to establish marketable title, to encourage neighborhood stability, and to enable homeowners to become eligible for funding to invest in their homes; and (2) a three-year legal and professional services contract to implement a Title Clearing and Clouded Title Prevention Pilot Program with Cadilac Law, PLLC, most advantageous proposer of four - Not to exceed $200,000.00 - Financing: General Fund
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BACKGROUND
Families with inherited real estate may consider themselves homeowners and may have lived in their homes their whole lives, yet their ownership is not properly documented in the deed records. This hampers their ability to qualify for City programs such as the Home Improvement and Preservation Program (HIPP), to obtain home improvement loans, and to sell the property when they are ready. It can erode the family's chances to pass the property on to their children or to access the equity in their property. Additionally, when a significant number of properties in a neighborhood have ownership clouds on the title and have fallen into disrepair, the lack of maintenance may affect the entire neighborhood's stability and future.
On June 24, 2019, at a special called meeting, City Council established strategic priorities for 2019 and 2020, several of which directly relate to housing, including programs to improve the City's housing stock and to improve community-oriented code compliance...
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