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DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas Launches Children First North Texas Mobility Program

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DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas Launches Children First North Texas Mobility Program


Program provides resources to Housing Choice Voucher families with children to move to high opportunity areas

DALLAS, October 01, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas announced today that it has launched a program called Children First North Texas that will expand housing choices for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) families with children by increasing access to high-opportunity neighborhoods.

The program is funded by a grant awarded to DHA by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) based on HUD’s Community Choice Demonstration program that builds upon recent research that shows growing up in lower poverty neighborhoods improves children’s academic achievement, long-term chances of success and reduces intergenerational poverty. DHA is one of only seven public housing agencies (PHAs) awarded across the country.

Research conducted by Opportunity Insights, a research initiative at Harvard University shows that upward mobility is impacted by where children grow up. Moving within one’s metro area from a below-average to an above-average neighborhood in terms of upward mobility would increase the lifetime earnings of a child growing up in a low-income family by $200,000. (Chetty, R. (2021). Neighborhoods Matter. Opportunity Insights. https://opportunityinsights.org/neighborhoods/)

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The Housing Choice Voucher program offers families with vouchers the opportunity to live in a neighborhood of their choice in a private market home. However, families often face barriers when trying to move into high-opportunity neighborhoods. So the program is designed not only to provide family support, but also addresses strategies to increase landlord participation in high-opportunity neighborhoods.

Benefits for families who qualify and opt-in to participate include:

  • Financial assistance for security deposits and other moving costs

  • A dedicated housing navigator to help them search and apply for housing

  • Post-move assistance to provide additional support after their move

There is limited availability of resources for this program. DHA will reach out to Housing Choice Voucher families who qualify directly with information on how to participate.

Participating landlords to who help families with housing in high opportunity areas may access the following benefits:

A high opportunity area is defined as a census tract that has a poverty rate of 10% or lower and the DHA Children First North Texas geographic coverage area includes the following North Texas counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall, and Tarrant.

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Landlords interesting in learning more and signing up to participate can connect with the program by visiting: https://dhantx.com/landlords/children-first/.

In an effort to provide an efficient process for administering the program, DHA has developed an automated system and custom-built applications to effectively support families and landlords throughout their participation in the program. DHA will welcome the Inclusive Communities Project (ICP) to its team of dedicated Housing Navigators, bringing valuable expertise in mobility counseling. Additionally, Housing Connector will partner with DHA to engage property owners and further enhance housing choice and access for participating families.

Housing Connector is a nonprofit organization that increases access to housing by solving financial and resident challenges for property owners so they can open doors to more people in the community. Housing Connector also streamlines the housing search experience through its Zillow powered marketplace.

The Inclusive Communities Project is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income families achieve economic success by addressing the barriers to affordable housing in high opportunity areas that offer a clear path to good schools, safe neighborhoods, gainful employment, and healthy living environments.

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“We appreciate HUD selecting DHA to implement this Mobility Grant program and we are excited to engage with our Housing Choice Voucher families and partner with the landlord community,” said Troy Broussard, president and chief executive officer for DHA. “This program will require a significant effort, so we are grateful to have experienced, dedicated partners in Housing Connector and the Inclusive Communities Project working alongside us to help ensure our families not only find housing in high opportunity areas, but successfully move there for the long-term,” he concluded.

About DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas

DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas provides quality, affordable housing to low-income families and individuals through the effective and efficient administration of housing assistance programs. The agency aims to create opportunities for program participants to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. DHA provides housing opportunities to ~55,000 people through public housing developments and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs. Our mission is to provide affordable, quality housing and access to supportive resources across North Texas. DHA is governed by its Board of Commissioners and administers housing programs funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. DHA is an independent, local government entity that is separate from the Dallas City Housing/Community Services department, which is governed by the City of Dallas. For more information about DHA, please visit www.dhantx.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241001804001/en/

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Media Contact:

Jacqueline Chen Valencia
CONNECTIVE Agency
jacq@connectiveagency.com



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Texas staves off Oklahoma’s furious comeback attempt, wins eighth straight over Sooners

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Texas staves off Oklahoma’s furious comeback attempt, wins eighth straight over Sooners


NORMAN, Okla. — Jordan Pope scored 27 points and freshman Tre Johnson scored 16 points and Texas blunted Oklahoma’s comeback bid beating Oklahoma 77-73 on Wednesday night.

Tramon Mark scored 15 points and Kadin Shedrick 10 for Texas (12-5, 1-3) who won its first-ever game as a member of the Southeastern Conference. Texas never trailed.

Jalon Moore scored a career-high 29 points and Jeremiah Fears scored 20 for Oklahoma (13-4, 0-4) who is still in search of its first SEC win.

The Longhorns led 43-27 at halftime and used a 10-3 run to build its largest lead of the game at 53-30 with 16:15 before the Sooners awakened. Oklahoma outscored Texas 26-7 in a 10-minute span reduced its deficit to 60-56 with 6:12 left. Three minutes later, Moore’s 3-pointer got OU within 71-68. But Johnson closed the door with back-to-back fadeaway jumpers at 1:47 and 1:19 remaining.

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Oklahoma made one more push when Fears hit a 3, and off a Pope turnover, Moore threw down a dunk. In the face of the Sooners press, on the inbounds, Fears threw a near length-of-the court pass that Mark caught up to and threw down for a dunk to end the scoring with 13 seconds left.

With the help of Arthur Kaluma’s three early layups, Texas built a 14-7 lead. Midway through the first half, Pope made a 3-pointer to provide Texas with its first double-digit lead of the game at 22-12.

Texas travels to face fifth-ranked Florida on Saturday. Texas hosts South Carolina on Saturday.

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    Watch: Boopie Miller buries game-winning 3-pointer, lifts SMU to road win over Virginia
    Utah leads TCU wire-to-wire, Horned Frogs fall under .500 in Big 12 play

Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Find more Texas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Texas Democrats hope to keep committee chairs with new House speaker

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Texas Democrats hope to keep committee chairs with new House speaker


Rep. Dustin Burrows takes the oath of office after being elected Texas House speaker on Jan. 14, 2025.

Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) won the Texas House speaker’s gavel Tuesday during the opening session.

The win left some GOP leaders fuming over his win. They wanted Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) to win the gavel.

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What’s next:

Burrows’ win came from support from the Democratic side of the aisle, where 49 Democrats voted alongside 36 Republicans.

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The next fight will be if Democrats can keep their committee chair positions.

The House has a unique situation where a few Democrats lead committees despite being in the minority.

Members will debate House rules next week.

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There is some pressure on Burrows to stop the tradition of giving Democrats power, but some Republicans think Burrows will still give some committee chairs to Democrats.

What they’re saying:

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Some Republicans think the end of Democratic chairs is coming.

“I think that for the first time in the history of Texas, the Senate and House will neither have Democratic chairs this session,” Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) said.

Others think the Democrats will still have a voice.

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“I think that time is coming to an end, but the minority party still has to have a voice and how that voice reflects and represents we will see this session,” Rep. Mano DeAyala (R-Houston) said.

North Texas Democrats think Borrows will still let them have a voice.

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“I think [Burrows] is open and willing to let every member have an opportunity to get things done for their districts,” Rep. Toni Rose (D-Dallas) said.

Some believe they will keep some chairs.

“That’s a real possibility, I feel strongly about it,” Rep. Rhetta Bowers (D-Garland) said. “Just receiving an appointment myself today, I look forward to what the days will bring.”

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The other side:

The floor debate on the rules is Wednesday.

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Over in the Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he’s willing to work with the House, but he will only pass what he considers conservative legislation.

The Source: Information in this article comes from FOX 4 interviews.

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New documentary reveals antisemitic hostage siege captured on camera at Texas synagogue

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New documentary reveals antisemitic hostage siege captured on camera at Texas synagogue


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On a cold Saturday morning in January 2022, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was a quiet sanctuary in a small community. As Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker prepared to lead a livestreamed service, a man, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, arrived at the synagogue. His presence would change the course of the day forever.

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A new documentary, “Colleyville,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Dani Menkin, reveals never-before-seen footage from the synagogue’s 13 security cameras, documenting the harrowing 11-hour hostage crisis in real-time. The film offers a chilling yet profoundly human look at the bravery of the hostages and the resilience of a community under threat.

The day began with an act of kindness. Security footage shows Akram ringing the doorbell and being welcomed inside by Cytron-Walker, who offered him tea and a place to warm up. “I was just trying to do what we do on any other day: offer kindness and welcome,” the rabbi said.

TEXAS OFFICIALS REACT TO NEWS OF HOSTAGE SITUATION IN COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE

Security footage shows Rabbi Cytron-Walker with Malik Faisal Akram holding his gun on him. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)

But at 10:40 a.m., the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Akram pulled out a gun and turned the four people present into hostages. “I’ve got semi-automatic guns. I’ve got two bombs, 80% of Jewish people are going to die if you don’t comply,” he shouted.

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The security footage, revealed for the first time in “Colleyville,” captures every tense moment. Akram’s demands centered on the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, known as “Lady al-Qaeda,” held in a nearby Fort Worth prison. He believed his actions could force global intervention, fueled by antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jewish control of the world.

FBI: TEXAS SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE INCIDENT BOTH A ‘HATE CRIME’ AND ‘ACT OF TERRORISM’ TARGETING JEWISH COMMUNITY

“His distorted perception was that either President Trump or President Biden would intervene, as he held onto the antisemitic belief that Jews control the world and could influence such a decision,” Menkin told Fox News Digital.

Gunman watches hostage

An armed Malik Faisal Akram watching one of his hostages, Rabbi Cytron-Walker. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)

The film highlights Akram’s increasingly erratic behavior and chilling rhetoric, including his declaration: “I love death more than you Jews love life.” Cytron-Walker said upon reflection that Akram “believed all the lies told about Jewish people – the Jews control the banks, the media, the world. It was a dangerous combination of extremism and antisemitism.”

HOUSTON RABBI ON ‘FRIGHTENING’ COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE SITUATION: ‘WE’RE GOING TO INCREASE OUR SECURITY

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Hostage allowed to leave synagogue

Akram eventually allowed congregant Larry Schwartz to leave. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)

Despite the fear, the hostages worked together to find moments of solidarity and opportunities to act. At one point, Akram allowed elderly congregant Larry Schwartz to use the restroom, warning him not to attempt an escape. Shane Woodward, who was in the process of converting to Judaism, pretended to feel ill and convinced Akram to let him leave. Before exiting, Shane negotiated to switch places with Larry, ensuring the older man’s safety.

As the hours wore on, the tension escalated. Akram fired a shot into the ceiling, an alarming act captured on camera. Cytron-Walker, drawing on his training in active shooter scenarios, waited for the right moment. That moment came when Akram held a cup of liquid in his dominant hand, temporarily preventing him from pulling the trigger.

“I saw how he held the cup, and I knew it was our best chance,” Cytron-Walker told Fox News Digital. In a decisive move, he threw a chair at Akram, creating a window for escape. “We weren’t far from the exit. It was a split-second decision, but it was the culmination of hours of watching, waiting, and thinking.”

The hostages bolted out of the synagogue, with Cytron-Walker leading the charge. Moments later, law enforcement stormed the building, ending the standoff. None of the hostages were physically harmed, though the psychological toll of the ordeal lingered. “It was a horrible day, but we had so much to be grateful for,” he said.

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A law enforcement vehicle sits in front of Congregation Beth Israel on Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

“Colleyville” combines the raw intensity of the security footage with poignant storytelling, offering viewers an unflinching look at the rise of antisemitism and the enduring strength of those who face it. “The footage itself was something that hadn’t been seen before,” Menkin said. “It’s incredibly rare to see a drama like this unfold in such a cinematic way. The raw emotions, the tension – it’s a terrifying reminder of the danger of hateful ideologies.”

Cytron-Walker, who had long been an advocate for interfaith engagement, emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish values with security. “Love the stranger is a lot harder than love your neighbor,” he said. “But we have to protect ourselves too.” Since the crisis, his synagogue has significantly increased its security budget.

Released at a time of rising antisemitism worldwide, Cyrton-Walker said, “We’re seeing more of this kind of hatred,” adding, “It’s even more important now to love the stranger while ensuring proper security.”



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