Farmers Branch residents get new homes after unrepairable issues

Delores and Jerry Green knew they were probably going to outlive their home. 

The house was built in 1957, Jerry said. The home was his parents’ house after they bought it in the 1970s, Delores said. The house had seen few upgrades and plenty of problems — including a bathroom floor that was falling in. 

“There was a point last year, when our old house was dilapidated so bad, we considered selling it and moving to the country on a small patch of land and living in a tiny home,” Jerry said.

Instead of moving to the country, the Greens moved to a new home in the same neighborhood. 

On Aug. 17, Delores and Jerry got the keys to a brand new house they said will be the site of family Christmas and Thanksgiving this year. The home was free, built as part of a program created through federal funds along with efforts from Dallas County, Farmers Branch and a nonprofit builder. 

Builders of Hope, a Dallas-based nonprofit builder, was awarded a project to demolish dilapidated homes in Farmers Branch and build 10 new homes in the same community after the city put out a request for proposals. The project was funded through $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, Chris Lewis, president and CEO of Builders of Hope, said. Dallas County awarded the funds to Farmers Branch.

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The Green’s new home — in a neighborhood near The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch —  was the first to be built. The other nine homes will be completed by early September or before, Lewis said.

When demolishing the Farmers Branch homes, Lewis said Builders of Hope found flooding, foundation and siding issues. 

“This is just another opportunity to revitalize the neighborhood without displacement,” Lewis said. “It’s one of our main things that we…