Message from the City Manager and Chief of Equity and Inclusion

Dear Dallas Residents,  Given the current crisis of COVID-19,  the City of Dallas recognizes that many people are having a hard time going about their daily lives.  As the pandemic continues to be a public health concern, it is our primary objective to make sure the people of Dallas are given the proper resources to stay healthy and safe. This newsletter is here to help residents gain insight and access to the various programs and initiatives that are taking place during this difficult time. We hope you find this information purposeful and that you will share it with your networks -family, friends, congregation, and various community organizations. COVID-19 has impacted all of us greatly, but our various communities have had to face the impact of the pandemic differently. To aid in an equitable and inclusive response for all of our communities, especially those most vulnerable, the City of Dallas has launched an Equity and Inclusion social media campaign. The campaign is intended to share important messaging that helps ensure we remember that #WeAreAllinThisTogether.   We hope you will join us by sharing the content and graphics.   Sincerely,

                                            T.C. Broadnax            Liz Cedillo-Pereira

                                            City Manager      Chief of Equity and Inclusion

Dallas County Safer at Home Order 

Effective April 18, 2020 at 11:59 pm, all Dallas individuals living within Dallas County are ordered to shelter at their place of residence.  The Order allows people to leave their homes for outdoor walks, to get necessary items like medicine and groceries, and to care for a sick relative, but otherwise must stay in their households. Essential businesses, including hospitals, senior residential centers, and childcare for those employees, may continue in-person operations.

• Amended Order as of April 17
  • Allows stores that sell fabric and school supplies to operate for the sole purpose of selling items needed to make cloth coverings and masks. 
• Amended Order as of April 18
  • If a resident was transferred from a long term care facility (LTCF) to receive hospital care they can be transferred back to their LTCF.

To learn more about the additional protection measures the full Order

For more information visit the Dallas County COVID-19 website

City of Dallas State of Disaster

On April 22, 2020, the Dallas City Council voted to extend the "state of disaster" declaration that Mayor Johnson first signed into effect on March 12, 2020. The intent is to align the City's "state of disaster" duration to Texas Governor Abbott's Declaration of a State of Disaster throughout Texas, currently in place until May 12, 2020.

For more information about the "state of disaster" declaration visit Governor Abbott's website. 

COVID-19 Testing Sites

There are two COVID-19 testing sites in Dallas. Criteria for testing sites are as follows:

• Must show a temperature of 99.6 or higher and shortness of breath or, cough OR
• Anyone 65 years and older OR
• Anyone with chronic health issues (diabetes, asthma, heart issues, etc) OR
• Any first responders, DART workers, healthcare workers, grocery and essential retail workers.

The sites operate daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are located at:

• American Airlines Center, Parking Lot E, 2500 Victory Plaza
• Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S Polk St.

If you meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing, please do not delay acting. Any photo ID is sufficient including a recreation center ID, a Student ID, an ID with your name and photo. It does not need to be a government-issued ID. For more information contact OEMdepartment@dallascityhall.com 

Walgreens has partnered with US Health and Human Services to open drive-thru testing facilities across five states, including Texas. The site selected for Dallas is located at 2060 S. Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX, open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, seven days a week and begins testing on April 24, 2020

• For more information regarding eligibility and how to sign up, visit: https://www.walgreens.com/coronavirus 

There is now various Drive-thru COVID-19 testing, to find a location near you visit Texas Department of State Health Services and enter your zip code.

• For more information visit Dallas County COVID-19 Testing locations.

Beware of COVID-19 Scams

There have been reports of groups trying to take advantage of people during this difficult time. There have been texts going out to people saying Parkland Hospital needs donations. Parkland will not send texts asking for donations. To report these scams visit:

• The FCC COVID-19 Scam webpage
• Department of Justice COVID-19 response website
• Learn how the Federal Trade Commission has been responding to COVID-19 visit their website.

The Dallas Police Department's Chief of Police Reneé Hall, District 6 Dallas City Councilmember Omar Narvaez, and AARP Texas are conducting a webinar on about fraud and scams related to the COVID-19 outbreak. They will discuss how you can stay safe from fraud, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

• Register here or dial in 833-380-0647 to listen to the Teletown Hall.

Federal Reserve Survey 

The Federal Reserve is conducting a survey of the impact due to COVID-19 on under-served communities. It will help the Federal Reserve assess how to respond with revitalization efforts. All submissions will be confidential.

• Fill out the survey here

Federal Communications Commission Keep Americans Connected Initiative

The U.S. Department of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in partnership with a handful telecom companies has developed nation-wide initiative to keep Americans connected for 60 days: Without terminating internet and waiving late fees to residents and small businesses due to their inability to pay due to COVID-19. They will also be providing Wi-Fi hot spots. For a list of telecom companies partaking in this initiative visit the FCC webpage to learn more

HUD Suspension of Eviction and Foreclosures

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has suspended all evictions and foreclosures for due to the crisis of COVID-19 until May 17, 2020.

• Note this is for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages
• To learn more information visit U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development COVID-19 fact sheet.

Nationwide Transportation Efforts

The passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) provides $25 Billion for public transportation systems to fund day-to-day operations, make up for lost revenue and sustain jobs.

In response to COVID-19 there have been different partnerships across the country to help people in the U.S. get easy access to transportation.

Service providers such as Uber and Lyft will be providing free rides for essential trips such as pharmacies, grocery stores, and healthcare visits. There are also free rides for essential and healthcare workers.

• For more information on Uber
• For more information on Lyft

Resources for Housing during COVID-19

As many Texans face housing hardships because of COVID-19 there are a variety of different resources to assist them.

• The Texas Department of Housing Communities Affairs Foreclosures has short-term and long-term plans for rent solutions to avoid evictions and foreclosures on homes. For more information visit the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Help for Texans page.
• The Texas Apartment Association has a webpage with COVID-19 information and FAQs for renters in Texas. Learn more at Texas Apartment Association COVID-19.
• The Texas Workforce Commission has a chat bot to answer common questions and help unemployed people to file for unemployment insurance. Visit Texas Workforce Commission for more information.
• The Texas Human Health and Services Commission has vouchers to help pay rent and other housing expenses. For more information call 877-541-7905 or visit the Texas Human Health Services webpage.
  • To check your eligibility please visit Texas Human and Health Services Financial Services webpage

Mental Health Hotlines and Resources

Mental health is critical during COVID-19, and it is important for all residents to be able to receive the help they need. Throughout Texas there are resources to help in these difficult times. Texas Health and Human Services is offering Free Mental Health Support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the toll-free Mental Health Support Line at 833-986-1919 or visit the Texas HHS website Children’s Health has created an informational post about how to help children manage anxiety during COVID-19. Visit Children’s Health for more information. Here for Texas Mental Health Navigation Developed by Grant Halliburton Foundation, The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a free helpline offering guidance, information, resources, and support for mental health and addiction.The helpline is for parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, community members, or mental health professionals. Anybody can call to say, "Here's what’s going on, what do I do?"   Callers will be connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who will gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, they will forward the information to an experienced mental health professional who will help to identify specific resources tailored to the caller’s needs. If you’re seeking resources for yourself or for someone else, call the free helpline at  972-525-8181 Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Texas 2-1-1 Hotline

The hotline helps the residents of Texas no matter where they live to find local resources such as food or housing, childcare, crisis counseling, and much more. For more information visit Texas 211 webpage, or call (877) 541-7905.

Dallas COVID-19 Hotline

The City of Dallas has created a COVID-19 resource hotline. The hotline includes information about how to navigate through the pandemic with local resources. Please call 214-670-4636 for access.

COVID-19 Regional Dashboard

The City’s Office of Innovation has developed a COVID-19 Regional Dashboard that provides information about COVID-19’s progression in the DFW area. In addition to the statistics already on the dashboard, data points on emergency regulations, hospital capacity, lab tests, etc. have been incorporated into the dashboard for you to view at your convenience. Each tab in the Dashboard allows you to filter by date.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Innovation at innovation@dallascityhall.com  

Shopping for Groceries Survey

The Office of Innovation is committed to exploring innovation in food access, a key priority area of the City of Dallas. As a result of circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many families have faced additional disruptions to the ways that they access food, on top of challenges they may have already been experiencing.

The City is conducting a survey of people in the DFW area to learn more about our residents' food access and the ways that COVID-19 has impacted access to healthy food.

We encourage you to take this survey yourself, share with friends and family, and share on social media. Your input will help the City understand food access in our community and explore options for increasing food access for all.

• Fill out the survey here

Housing Support and Services 

Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program

• The Mortgage and Rental Assistance program passed by Dallas City Council will offer $6.1 million in rental and mortgage aid. Combined with services and programs that already exist within the city, $13.7 million is available.

  Assistance will provide up to $1,500 for a maximum of three months per eligible household. To qualify for the pre-screening process, applicants must be City of Dallas residents who lost their jobs or were furloughed due to COVID-19.

  The Mortgage and Rental Assistance program is a collaboration between the Office of Community Care and the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization.

  The program is expected to open during the first week of May.

• The Dallas City Council approved the COVID Landlord-Tenant Notice Ordinance as a response to COVID-19. The ordinance requires residential landlords to issue a “COVID Notice of Possible Eviction” that provides tenants information on rental assistance and allows tenants at least 21 days to negotiate lease payment agreements with landlords. Additionally, if tenants provide proof of financial hardship due to COVID-19, then the proposed ordinance enables tenants to receive up to 60 days prior to facing a Notice to Vacate. The Notice of Eviction ordinance takes effect immediately.

For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Fair Housing and Human Rights at 214-670-FAIR (3247).

Learn more the Mortagage and Rental Assistance Program and Notice of Evictions Ordinance from the Dallas City Council press release.

• If you are facing financial hardships during COVID-19 and need legal assistance, local volunteer attorneys are offering their services to answer questions for free. Submit your questions to dallasevictions2020@gmail.com

Transportation Resources

Due to the current social distancing orders in place, travel options are limited. In Dallas there are locally based resources to help residents that may need help with transportation for essential trips such as the grocery store, the pharmacy, or to go to a in person medical appointment.

• Trinity Metro is extending its modified schedules and free fares until May 1 to reduce the novel coronavirus risk for customers and employees. Free rides are offered on buses, Trinity Metro TEXRail and ACCESS paratransit. It will run 6 days a week Monday-Saturday with no service on Sundays.

For more information visit the Trinity Metro website

Access to Food in Dallas

During this COVID-19 pandemic, there is a concern with access to food for some Dallas residents. There are many community-based resources dedicated to make sure that those impacted by the pandemic will have proper nutrition.

• The City of Dallas has created an online hub to help residents find local resources such as food pantries, delivery services, and emergency food services in their area.
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) 
  • Starting Monday April 13^th DART will be doing a grocery pick up and delivery service. Customers must make the order for the groceries and provide the driver with a pickup information. From Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
  • DART will be delivering Senior Care Packages from the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation department for the Active Senior Adult Program. Free for adults over the age of 60.
  • DART in partnership with the Brady Center, a Catholic charity, will deliver food to seniors on Wednesdays.
    • For more information DART programs visit the DART website or call 214-979-1111.
• The Dallas County Health and Human Services Program Older Adults Services Program is delivering meals tothe doorstep of  homebound seniors.
  • Call 214-819-1860 for more information
• Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1910 N. St Augustine Rd Dallas 75212
  • Upcoming dates: April 25 and May 30. Please contact 224-208-5536 for more information.
• Harmony Community Development Corp, Harmony CDC, 6969 Pastor Bailey Drive, #300, 75237
  • Times: Monday from 2-6 pm, Tuesdays 4-6:30 pm, and Thursdays 10am-2 pm. For more information please call 214-467-6770
• Disaster Relief Drive Thru Food Pantry: 3314 Detonte, 75223, Dallas, Texas
  • Every Saturday 10am-12 noon. For more information please visit Empowering the Masses webpage  call 972-460-6316.

• The North Texas Food Bank
  
  • The North Texas Food Bank will be keep food programs like Food4Kids and school pantry programs running as usual. There will also be deliveries to families who will need help accessing healthy meals. For more information go to The North Texas Food Bank page.
• MLK Food Distribution -RELOCATED
  • The MLK has been relocated to Park South YMCA 2500, Romaine Ave, Dallas Texas. They will be distributing fresh produce every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Contact Miles to Freedom at  214-238-229.

Access to Food for Families with Students

• South Dallas Café will be offering 100 kids (15 years and younger) free lunch Monday through Friday from 11 am to 1 pm. To secure a spot on the list please call 214-337-9200. Your child must be present during curbside pickup. The curbside pick-up address is 7035 Marvin D Love Fwy, Dallas, TX 75237
• Dallas ISD and DART have partnered up to deliver meals to students weekly at the following three pickup locations:
  • The Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center: 5150 Mark Trail Way, Dallas, TX 75232
  • Janie Turner Recreation Center 6424 Elam Rd, Dallas, TX 75217
  • Highland Hill Library 6200 Bonnie View Rd, Dallas, TX 75241
  • In addition to these three locations, DISD and DART will also deliver to schools where families can pick up meals for their students.

For more information check the DISD Stops with Food Delivery webpage.

Dallas ISD Internet Hotspot Request

Domestic Violence Resources

During times of crisis there can be an increase of domestic violence situations. Though Dallas is practicing a Safer at Home Order, there are still resources and ways to get help. Please reach out if you or someone you know is in danger.

• Chaired by Councilmember Jennifer Staubach Gates, the Domestic Violence Task Force is made up of 40 plus members of various Dallas area agencies who have been tasked by the Mayor to reduce domestic violence incidents in our City by 25% over the next three years. He asked the task force to create data-driven, community supported plans to increase bed capacity, add domestic violence education to DISD and RISD curriculums, improve DPD officer training, provide transportation services for survivors, and create a plan to decrease domestic violence incidents that result in severe injury or deaths. 
  • The Task Force website
• Families to Freedom assists Dallas area domestic abuse victims with a ride to shelter or to a family home far away. They will help you make it to a safe space even if it’s outside the city and during the pandemic. Families to Freedom works with all domestic violence shelters across Texas.
  • For more information contact their help line at 972-885-7020 or visit the Families to Freedom webpage.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline has highly trained advocates who are available 24/7/365 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence seeking resources, information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline an online chatroom where you can seek guidance, assitiance, and provide guidance on a safety plan guide for the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Hotline number: 1-800-799-7233
  • For more information visit National Domestic Violence webpage to find more resources.

Agape Mobile Medical Clinic 

Agape Medical Clinic is now open again and will be serving residents in the Bonton area with a mobile clinic. For more information about Agape Medical clinic please visit their website or call 972-707-7782.

Economic Recovery

Say Yes To Dallas Talent

• The Dallas Regional Chamber has launched a Say Yes to Dallas Talent campaign to help displaced workers in the area who have lost their employment due to COVID-19. The online platform lists different opportunities by industry such as, hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, food service, and warehouses.

For more information visit Jobs for Displaced Workers online platform.

Webinars for Small Businesses and Workers

• The American Business Immigration Coalition has a series of webinars for small business owners, including undocumented business owners. To register for the webinars, click one of the following links.
  • What the Stimulus Package Means for Small Businesses & Nonprofits
  • Paycheck Protection Program & Troubleshooting Lender Problems
  • Who's Left Out of the Paycheck Protection Program?

There are also infographics and presentations in both English and Spanish to access these additional resources please visit the American Business Immigration Coalition webpage.

Small Business Continuity Fund

• The Office of Economic Development will launch the $5 million Small Business Continuity Fund. The fund will provide up to $10,000 in grants and up to $50,000 in low-cost loans to small businesses affected by COVID-19 - certain amount will be dedicated to businesses serving under served areas.

  The businesses must be able to prove they were in operation for a minimum of six months prior to March 16, 2020 and demonstrate a 25% drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

  The goal of the fund is to ensure continued operations of small businesses and job retention by those businesses.

  The application is expected to go live in May for grants and loans to begin in June.

“We want to send a message to every business owner in Dallas that we are concerned and we will put our money where our mouth is,” said District 3 Council Member Casey Thomas, II, Ad Hoc COVID-19 Committee Economic Recovery and Assistance Chair.

Click here for to learn more about the Small Business Continuity Fund

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