The Dallas City Council authorized an agreement on May 27 with Veterans Community Project and its affiliates to develop the Veterans Community Project Village, a transitional housing community for veterans experiencing homelessness.
The agreement includes the transfer of approximately 7.33 acres of city-owned land located west of S. Lancaster Road, south of Mentor Avenue, and east of Denley Drive in City Council District 4. In return, the developer will construct and operate a village consisting of small residential units, a community center, and on-site supportive services aimed at helping veterans transition out of homelessness.
“This is more than a housing project; it is a community of care that honors our veterans’ service and moves us closer to ending veteran homelessness in our city,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “By transforming approximately 7 acres near the VA Medical Center into a village of small homes and on-site supportive services, we are investing in a proven model that helps veterans experiencing homelessness find stability and a path to permanent housing.”
The property has been owned by the City since 2015. Over the past decade, three requests for proposals were issued seeking private development opportunities for this land, but none resulted in completed agreements or projects.
After concluding the most recent request for proposals process, the Office of Economic Development was directed by the City Manager’s Office to explore new partnership options for this property. In collaboration with Council Member Johnson over six months, they assessed nonprofit-led development focused on veterans’ needs. Veterans Community Project was identified as capable of delivering an effective model combining transitional housing with wrap-around supportive services.
Veterans Community Project’s approach has received national recognition for its effectiveness in reducing veteran homelessness and supporting long-term stability.
