🌱 DHC Seeks $200M For Affordable Housing + Allen ISD Armed Security

Good morning, friends. Nicole Fallon-Peek here with your Wednesday edition of the Dallas Patch newsletter, filled with all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 106 Low: 85.

Here are the top three stories in Dallas today:

1. A coalition of Dallas leaders is advocating for $200 million of the planned $1 billion 2024 public improvement bond referendum to be allocated to affordable housing, citing an ongoing affordable housing crisis in the city. The Dallas Housing Coalition argues that rising home prices and rents have made housing increasingly unaffordable for working families, and the proposed funds would help address this issue. The coalition's request aligns with existing racial equity and housing policies approved by the Dallas City Council and aims to support neighborhood preservation and strategies for affordable housing. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
2. The Dallas Police Department did not notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they arrested alleged serial killer Oscar Sanchez Garcia for beating his girlfriend on Mar. 13, as per their general orders. Officers are not required to inform ICE about arrests unless certain conditions, such as severe violent crimes or active warrants, are met. Garcia's arrest, which happened before his alleged murders, raised questions about whether an ICE hold could have prevented the subsequent deaths, but it remains uncertain if deportation or immigration detention would have guaranteed prevention. (WFAA.com)
3. The Allen Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the implementation of armed security officers on every campus to comply with the requirements of Texas House Bill 3. The district in nearby Allen will partner with the Texas-based company L&P to provide armed security officers for 17 campuses that currently lack a school resource officer. The contract with the private security provider will cost approximately $694,000, and the district will receive $360,000 in funds from House Bill 3 to support the compliance effort. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

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Today in Dallas:

Wednesday, August 2

• Workshop Wednesdays With The Dallas Poet Laureate At Dallas Public Library (11:00 AM)
• Movement Live At American Airlines Center (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Daisha Board, a Black woman entrepreneur, has achieved significant recognition in Dallas' art scene with the opening of her downtown art gallery, which recently received the Best Satellite Gallery award at the Joule Hotel. Board is also opening a third location in West Dallas' Tin District, providing space for emerging artists to share their narratives and contribute to the city's vibrant art community. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
• Oak Cliff is set to welcome a new family-owned sandwich shop called King's Deli. The deli will offer a variety of sandwiches, including their signature club sandwich and Cajun-accented dishes like Cajun shrimp pasta and a crab cake BLT. The Oak Cliff location will be a combination deli and cafe, featuring a coffee program for building tenants and visitors, and is expected to open this month. (CultureMap Dallas)
• Dallas-based jewelry brand Allie + Bess organized a school supply drive for Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support to help children in need start the school year on the right foot. They collected hundreds of backpacks and school supplies for the children of women who reside in the shelter, providing support to families escaping domestic violence. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.