Alphonso R. Jackson served as DHA’s first African American president and CEO and the 13th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in President George W. Bush’s Administration

DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas announced today it dedicated its headquarters building in West Dallas to former HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson who also served as the first African American president and CEO of the Dallas Housing Authority from 1989 to 1996. In 2004 Jackson was appointed as the 13th HUD Secretary by President George W. Bush and officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

DHA has expanded its headquarters to better serve the community including residents, landlord partners, and service providers. The newly expanded headquarters will be a place where residents, Housing Choice Voucher families, landlords, and community partners will be able to connect with DHA and advance affordable housing solutions. DHA is the 10th largest public housing agency in the nation and provides housing for more than 55,700 people each day across seven counties in North Texas.

This dedication is in honor of Secretary Jackson’s vision to invest in West Dallas by establishing DHA’s headquarters and numerous other improvements to this community while he led the agency. During Secretary Jackson’s tenure as DHA’s president and CEO the agency consistently ranked as one of the best-managed large-city housing agencies in the country.

“We are very proud to honor Secretary Jackson’s legacy by dedicating our newly expanded headquarters in his name,” said Troy Broussard, president and chief executive officer of DHA. “Secretary Jackson helped transform West Dallas to what it is today including the establishment of the Major League Baseball Youth Academy, Head Start, and the nation’s first continuum of affordable housing for seniors to age in place. We’re grateful to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Mayor Johnson, and other community leaders for being part of this important event.”

Speakers at the dedication event included:

  • DHA Chairwoman Betty Culbreath
  • Mayor Eric Johnson
  • Ken Hersh, president and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center
  • Lori Moon, Former DHA President & CEO
  • Mike Daniel, Daniel & Beshara, P.C.
  • LaCrecia Perkins, Carrington Coleman

“Secretary Jackson invested his time as the leader of HUD to forge new policies and programs that helped millions of moderate-income families achieve the American dream of homeownership, break the cycle of generational poverty and contribute to our economy,” said Ken Hersh, president and chief executive officer of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. “President Bush and I are proud to have been part of this dedication of the DHA headquarters building as a testament to Jackson’s transformative vision. We are grateful for his service to North Texas and our country.”

“Thanks to Secretary Jackson’s vision for West Dallas, the neighborhood that raised me is thriving more than ever,” said Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson. “His work inspires us to continue investing in local communities and ensuring opportunity for everyone in Dallas. I am proud to have been part of this historic recognition in honor of Secretary Jackson and his legacy.”

The building dedication is memorialized by a sign on the outside of DHA’s headquarters building and the signing of a formal proclamation by Secretary Jackson and DHA’s board of directors.

About DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas (formerly the Dallas Housing Authority)

DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas provides quality, affordable housing to low-income families and individuals through the effective and efficient administration of housing assistance programs. The agency aims to create opportunities for program participants to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. DHA provides housing opportunities to 55,700 people through public housing developments and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs. Our mission is to provide affordable quality housing and access to supportive resources across North Texas. DHA is governed by its Board of Commissioners and administers housing programs funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. DHA is an independent, local government entity that is separate from the Dallas City Housing/Community Services department, which is governed by the City of Dallas. For more information about DHA, please visit www.dhantx.com.

Jacqueline Chen Valencia CONNECTIVE Agency jacq@connectiveagency.com