The provision of adequate and appropriate housing for all residents is an essential component of building strong neighborhoods. Fort Worth is actively engaged in neighborhood redevelopment and is focusing on preserving and improving the housing stock, particularly in the central city. Efforts are targeted at increasing the supply of quality affordable housing, expanding homeownership opportunities, revitalizing neighborhoods, and creating mixed-income communities.  In March 2001, the Fort Worth city council removed a significant impediment to housing development within commercial districts outside of downtown. As with zoning codes in many cities, almost all of Fort Worth’s zoning classifications were oriented to low-density suburban development and did not allow a mix of residential and non-residential uses within the same district, much less in the same building. With this change, the city council adopted new zoning classifications that encourage a mixture of residential and non-residential uses through density and height bonuses. 

Another effort to expand the housing options was the creation of the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, or NEZ, Program. Fort Worth created the first NEZ, called Stop Six, in April 2001 and approved basic NEZ incentives including property tax abatement and development fee waivers. The NEZ Program requires that 20 percent of all multifamily units be affordable to households earning 80 percent of the median income in developments receiving a tax abatement.

In 2003, the Fort Worth / Tarrant County Region of the National Conference for Community and Justice, the Fort Worth League of Neighborhood Associations, the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, and the United Way of Metropolitan Tarrant County jointly adopted a resolution supporting quality affordable housing in neighborhoods across the community. The resolution stated that mixed-income housing provides opportunities for people at all income levels to interact with each other on common ground, thus laying the foundation for a healthy city. This resolution was presented to the Fort Worth City Council and the Fort Worth Housing Authority Board of Directors. In support of this resolution, city leaders are considering ways to encourage affordable housing and mixed-income development in city-supported residential projects. Additionally, the Fort Worth Housing Authority is de-concentrating public housing units by relocating residents from the former Ripley Arnold housing project to mixed-income developments and by constructing new mixed-income communities. Numerous housing programs are offered by the city’s Housing Department, which partners with the Fort Worth Housing Authority, neighborhoods, non-profit organizations, developers, and lending institutions to achieve the goals of developing housing for low-income families. The following is a selected list of city programs:

Model Blocks Program
This program is funded with federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds. It assists neighborhoods with housing revitalization and community development projects, such as housing rehabilitation, minor home repair, and street and infrastructure improvements. Residents actively participate in developing the neighborhood plan and implementing projects which include development, neighborhood capacity building, and community empowerment. Residents work with city staff to develop a strategic plan for their neighborhood that outlines goals and objectives they wish to accomplish using designated federal funds.

The Model Blocks Program is Fort Worth's premier neighborhood revitalization program. Its goal is "building strong neighborhoods, a safe community, and sound economy." It makes a visible impact in a manageable geographical area by concentrating city activities and federal fund resources in the selected neighborhood. From the inception of the program in 1993, 18 model blocks have been selected, and today neighborhoods compete for MB designation. The program is based on the following principles:

• Comprehensive Planning and Implementation
• Resident Empowerment
• Public-Private Partnership
• Leveraging Resources

Acquisition, Rehabilitation, Resell Program
This program provides affordable property for low-income first-time homebuyers. The city or its nonprofit partners purchase and rehabilitate properties and originate mortgage loans. Large, low-income families and families buying homes in Model Blocks areas are targeted for this program.

Emergency Repairs Program
This program addresses immediate threats to the health and safety of homeowners, such as severe roof problems, major plumbing repairs, and heating/cooling emergencies. 

Cowtown Brush-Up
Cowtown Brush-Up is an annual community involvement project. Pre-selected homes of qualified elderly, disabled, and low-income residents are painted by teams of volunteers with donated paint and supplies. In addition, graffiti is removed, trees are planted, and lots are cleaned. 

Housing Counseling Program
This program is administered in conjunction with the Fort Worth Community Relations Department. It provides homeownership counseling, foreclosure prevention counseling, and fair housing and fair lending counseling.