When it comes to certain issues regarding your home, the city can be a surprise go-to
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| Dallas City Hall not only makes it easy to access its services online, it wants to educate Dallas residents on how it can help homeowners and renters. |
With last month’s snowfall, the city found out that everything bathed in white isn’t always pretty…especially when tree limbs were coming down left and right, disturbing power lines. The city stepped in to help eliminate limbs that proved to be a danger.
But City Hall doesn’t just wait for an emergency to assist people with certain issues regarding the home. In fact, you might be surprised what the city can come in handy for.
"There is lots of information available on our Web site about the scope of city services," Margaret Wright says.
Wright is the assistant director of Strategic Customer Services for the city of Dallas and her department strives to arm Dallas residents with as much education and information as possible before they take on issues regarding their home and even neighborhood.
"Our ‘Good Neighbor Guide’ is great for the new homeowner because it details requirements for pet ownership, trash pick-up, garage sales — basic stuff like that. And of course, if they have a concern or complaint, our 311 service can be accessed by phone and online to request all kinds of services.," she says.
These services can help both renters and homeowners in the city limits with issues ranging from home repair to green initiatives. And if you’re about to buy your first home, the city can help with that too.
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The Home Buyer Assistance Program provides assistance valuing up to $10,000 for qualifying buyers. On top of that, grants of up to $1,500 may even be awarded for repairs to meet the minimum housing standards.
If you’re in need of major home repairs, call up the mayor — well, try the Housing and Community Services Department instead. But don’t think this is for that broken window or leaky faucet. For major home repairs, some homeowners may be able to get aid from the city for issues like roofing, electrical, plumbing and air conditioning.
Renters aren’t left out in the rain. In fact, the city just passed the Non-owner Rental Program with goals of "facilitating neighborhood stabilization, foster clean and safe rental properties and enhance partnerships with property owners and tenants." Basically, renters are protected from slumlords. Building owners are required to keep properties up to the program’s requirements. At the same time, tenants can be held responsible for certain violations, such as unkempt premises. But overall, the city is looking to protect renters from being taken advantage of if living conditions are less than ideal.
Now that everyone has gone the way of flat screen TVs and computer monitors, what to do with those items being replaced? It just so happens that sanitation services of Dallas know how to deal with such electronic waste. There are four drop-off "e-cycling" locations in the city limits. The free service helps keep televisions and computers out of landfills or from falling into sketchy hands. If any of the stations are too far, visit TexasTakesBack.com for other e-cycling options handled by retailers in your area.
The city even wants to help with your clogged pipes, but in a more preventive fashion. Much like their e-cycling program, they have stations around town to drop off your old cooking oil. Seriously, you don’t want that down your drains — and neither does the city. However, keep it to the oils only. Grease, motor oil and actual food won’t be accepted.
For pet owners with intact dogs and cats, the city holds Responsible Pet Ownership classes. Intact pets are purebred animals and owners can apply for an Intact Animal Permit after membership in a dog or cat club is verified and classes have been completed. With a $70 permit fee and $30 for registration, keeping Fido and Fluffy intact is a reasonable $100.
The city of Dallas can step in right when you need it when you least expect it. It’s a whole new world of resources to make your home a better one in a variety of capacities. Just don’t let those weeds grow too high, because they’ll ticket you for that one.
Wright hopes that won’t be most residents contact with the city.
"Most of Dallas doesn’t know about the services online. We want people to know what’s available to them and we want to educate them rather than going straight to enforcement. It’s about having a vested interest in where you live because the city’s strongest assets are its residents."
Visit more information, visit DallasCityHall.com.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 5, 2010.