Hundreds of West Dallas families who are facing eviction will stay in their homes, at least for now.
Just days before a hearing, the city of Dallas and property company HMK Ltd. reached a deal that gives families until the end of the school year to find a new place to live.
Last month the city filed a class-action lawsuit against HMK, which is owned by Khraish Khraish and Han E. Khraish. According to Mayor Mike Rawlings, the city had to intervene and file a restraining order after the two landlords issued eviction notices to 305 tenants.
Several tenants have complained to city officials regarding their living conditions.
According to the city, rather than fix the issues, HMK decided to kick all of their tenants out.
HMK tenant Willie Pace, 85, told NBC 5 she's worried about losing her "home sweet home."
"See, I just pay $300 a month over here. You can't find that no more. And I know I'm not going to find that anywhere I go," Pace said.
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Now, she and other HMK residents can remain in their homes until June 3, 2017, or the end of the school year, whichever is later.
"I want to stay in Dallas somewhere close. My church is out here," Pace said.
Ashton Elder and her family plan on staying.
"I'm not moving. I'm going to buy my house. That's my goal," Elder said.
How the single mother will do that, she's still trying to figure out.
The city says the arrangement is about providing safe and decent living conditions.
But in the agreement HMK is not obligated to make home repairs, no matter how bad conditions are.
City officials say any HMK tenant whose rent is not being accepted or has a condition in their home that they believe presents an immediate threat to their health or safety should call 311 or Adella Casarez at 214-670-5988 immediately to make a report.
