Red balloons outside The Austin at Trinity Green, an apartment complex off Singleton Boulevard. Photo/Allison V. Smith
How West Dallas Families Are Coping With Changes
With eviction looming, some West Dallas residents living in rental homes owned by HMK Ltd. are getting involved in the fight to stay in their neighborhood while battling daily emotional stress.
• The latest: Landlord offers to sell rental homes to longtime residents; judge extends move-out deadline.
‘This Is My Barrio’
Noemi Piña and her teenage son, Timothy, were heartbroken when they received notice to leave by early June. Piña’s mother has rented their West Dallas home for 43 years.
Timothy says he started seeing changes in the neighborhood as early as 2013; fancy restaurants and expensive apartments were being built toward the Trinity River and what he calls “the white bridge.”
They’ve been looking for their next move every day, but they’ve been fighting to stay. They’re working with the Texas Organizing Project.
Noemi Piña y su hijo adolescente, Timothy, estaban con el corazón roto desde que recibieron las noticias que se tenian que ir de su casa en Junio. La mama de Piña ha rentado su casa en West Dallas por 43 años. Timothy dice que él empezó a ver cambio en el barrio ya en 2013; restaurantes lujosos y apartamentos caros estaban siendo construidos hacia el Trinity River, y lo que él llama “el puente blanco”. Ellos han buscado otro lados para vivir, pero estan luchando para quedarse. Están trabajando con el Texas Organizing Project.
‘I’m Worried. How Could I Not Be?’
Martin Morales, 77, is originally from Durango, Mexico. He’s worried about losing his rental home in West Dallas, where he’s lived since 1993. He’s suffered from depression because of the situation.
Morales lost his leg to diabetes, and he says his limited mobility prevents him from finding a new place to live. Besides, if he moves, he’ll leave behind the home and neighbors he knows and loves.
Martin Morales en Español
Martin Morales, 77, es originalmente de Durango, México. Él está preocupado de perder su hogar que renta en West Dallas, donde el ha vivido desde 1993. Él ha sufrido de depresión debido a esta situación. Morales perdió su pierna por la diabetes y dice que su movimiento limitado lo impide su proceso en encontrar un lugar para vivir. Además, si se mueve, dejará atrás su hogar y vecinos que conoce y ama.
THE LATEST IN ‘NO PLACE TO GO’
The owner of hundreds of aging West Dallas rental homes that had been slated for closure said Monday, May 22 that he will sell upwards of 75 of them to tenants. Hours later, a Dallas County district judge extended a move-out deadline for remaining renters until October.