During this 89th Texas Legislative Session, lawmakers have filed 200+ housing-related bills. The Texas Legislature prioritized affordable housing during the interim and during this legislative session, in response to rising home prices in communities across the state and nation. There are simply not enough affordable housing options to meet the growing demand.  

Housing is Foundational to Our Mission 

Attainable housing and housing stability are intricately linked to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ mission of improving access to education, income and health to ensure that all North Texans have an opportunity to thrive. Throughout the years, we have worked with community partners and local and statewide housing coalitions to increase housing affordability and housing stability, reduce and end homelessness, and prevent evictions through our Targeted Eviction Prevention Program.  

These collective efforts have resulted in reducing homelessness and keeping our neighbors housed.  

The State of Homelessness in North Texas 

On May 20 during the 2025 State of Homelessness Address for Dallas and Collin Counties, Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition, which United Way of Dallas is a member of, announced for the fourth consecutive year a reduction homelessness (5% decrease from the previous year), with nearly 16,000 individuals housed since 2021.  

Additionally, Housing Forward President and CEO Sarah Kahn announced an effective end to street homelessness in Downtown Dallas, meaning no one is living or sleeping on the streets of downtown, and pathways off the street will be immediately activated for anyone new through dynamic, multidisciplinary response teams. You can read more here about this sustained progress and plans to expand efforts throughout Dallas and Collin counties. 

How We’re Advocating for Affordable Housing 

United Way of Dallas continues to partner with community agencies and local and state housing advocacy organizations on the frontend to achieve housing stability and prevent homelessness. Throughout the legislative session, we have been monitoring housing-related bills, submitting public comments, and mobilizing the advocacy community around various pieces of legislation.  

Earlier this month, our team joined advocates from North Texas and across the state in the inaugural Housing Day at the Dome at the Texas State Capitol. This advocacy day, organized by Dallas Housing Coalition, provided an opportunity to collectively engage with more than 75 House and Senate state legislative offices and champion meaningful, equitable housing solutions for the North Texas region. Read more here about Housing Day at the Dome. 

An Urgent Request: Advocate with Us Now! 

As we are approaching the finish-line of this legislative session with looming deadlines for House and Senate bills to be heard and voted on before session adjourns on June 2, the urgency remains to contact House and Senate lawmakers to oppose or support key bills.  

We call on all supporters of affordable housing and housing stability to contact their representatives and voice opposition or support for the following bills.    

*Since the publication of this blog post, the following legislative updates are reflected below:  

• OPPOSE – SB 38 would overhaul the eviction process for lease-holding tenants and weaken due process protections for Texas renters. UPDATE: Passed the House but includes two important amendments, which United Way supports. The amendments require that, in cases where a tenant is only late on one month’s payment, notice must be given in the form of a notice to pay rent or vacate (Rep. Hayes Amendment) and that the summary disposition process is only applicable to squatters (Rep. Gates Amendment).
• OPPOSE – SB 2623 would restrict a nonprofit from providing “navigation services”—including meals, benefits assistance and other services—within 1,500 feet of a school, institute of higher education or park if that nonprofit site serves any homeless individuals. UPDATE: Died in Calendars Committee.
• SUPPORT – SB 15/HB 3919 would reduce minimum lot size requirements in new neighborhoods. UPDATE: Passed both chambers and is headed to governor’s desk.
• SUPPORT – SB 840/HB 3404 would allow residential and mixed-use development on commercially zoned land and further incentivizes office-to-residential conversions. UPDATE: Passed both chambers and is headed to governor’s desk.
• SUPPORT – SB 673 would legalize backyard cottages, garage apartments and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) statewide, giving homeowners more freedom to house a loved one or create an affordable rental unit. UPDATE: Died after passing out of Calendars Committee; failed to meet House deadline.
• SUPPORT – SB 208/HB 4505 would create a $50 million revolving loan fund for nonprofit, single-family developers. UPDATE: Bill is dead; did not pass out of Senate.  
• SUPPORT – SB 600/HB 4011 would amend the Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act to enhance the generational transfer of wealth and the housing stability of family members who inherit their relatives’ homes. UPDATE: This legislation is dead; left pending in Senate Business & Commerce Committee   
• SUPPORT – SB 854/HB 3172, known as the “Yes in God’s Backyard” bill, would allow faith institutions to build housing on their land to serve their communities and increase our tax base in most cases. UPDATE: Died in Senate; bill passed out of Senate local Government Committee.     
• SUPPORT – SB 2835 would enable municipalities to allow for a single-stair apartment construction—an approach that optimizes land use, enhances fire safety and supports the creation of more affordable housing. UPDATE: Passed both chambers and is headed to Governor’s desk.
• SUPPORT – SB 844/HB 24  would create landowner veto reform. UPDATE: Passed the Senate

Join Our Advocacy Movement  

These remaining days of the legislative session will be critical to elevate our collective voices in opposition and support of this important legislation. While most of these bills may or may not become law, the power of collective advocacy has already resulted in significantly amending harmful bills that would result in homelessness and opening the door for future legislation and public policies promoting affordable housing solutions and wealth-building through home ownership.  

Throughout the 89th Texas legislative session and at the federal level, we’re advocating for key bills that will improve access to education, income and health in North Texas. We invite you to join hundreds of your fellow advocates as we speak up, united, for the issues that matter most.  

We make it easy to advocate for our community. Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts, and we’ll let you know when and how to contact your elected officials to make the biggest possible impact.