Fort Worth Housing Solutions celebrates 80th anniversary

Established by the City of Fort Worth in 1938, the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Worth, now Fort Worth Housing Solutions, set out to address the city’s housing challenges by providing “safe and sanitary” accommodations for low-income families. Within its first five years of operation, the agency built its first public housing properties, Ripley Arnold Place and Butler Place, which provided more than 500 families with a new place to call home. Recognizing the need for additional space, the agency built its third public housing property, Cavile Place, in the Stop Six neighborhood in the early 1950s, and added units at Ripley Arnold and Butler in the early sixties.

As the city grew and the need for affordable housing expanded, Fort Worth Housing Authority stepped up to the challenge of providing housing for families in need. In 1971, the agency began purchasing private sector properties. One of the first was the 11-story Fortune Arms Hotel, which has since been remodeled and renovated into a beautiful mixed-income community, named Hunter Plaza, adjacent to Sundance Square. During the ensuing years, the agency provided housing assistance to a growing number of citizens and began offering services that addressed other needs, including job training.

In the early 2000s, the organization began shifting its focus to “changing the face of affordable housing.” With the sale of Ripley Arnold place in 2001, the agency ushered in a new era with the goal of providing housing residents in need would be proud to call home.  The proceeds from the sale enabled the agency to add more affordable properties to its inventory and make numerous upgrades.

Today, the FWHS portfolio includes 38 affordable and mixed-income properties with more 5,000 units and another 1,600-plus in development.  In these 80 years, Fort Worth Housing Solutions has provided housing assistance, education and training, career development, self-sufficiency and homeownership programs, school supplies and so much more to its clients. It is more than just housing; it is housing with a mission.