MICHAEL S. RAWLINGSMAYOR

CITY OF DALLASJune 4,2015

Mr. Tim Irvine, Executive DirectorTexas Department of Housing and Community Affairs221 East 11th StreetAustin, TX 78701-2410

RE: Gateway on Clarendon ("Project") - Undesirable Neighborhood Characteristics

Dear Mr. Irvine,

The purpose of this letter is to support the site eligibility waiver request for Gateway on Clarendon, a 4percent LIlITC with Tax Exempt Bond application by Family Gateway and Matthews Southwest, to beowned by 1525 East Clarendon, LP. This project is an important catalyst to revitalize an emergingneighborhood, and complements our City's GrowSouth initiative.

Reportedly, there is concern that the census tract exhibits high poverty. Poverty rates in this tract are skewedby the fact that many properties are in need of severe renovation, and many households reside in a DallasHousing Authority Public Housing complex known as Brackin's Village. It is imperative to provide new, yetaffordable units to help revitalize the neighborhood.

The Project is located nearly adjacent to the 8th Street DART station. Residents will have direct access totransit, only two stops from downtown Dallas and thousands of employment options.

The combination of affordable housing and access to transportation will save the average household residingin the project thousands of dollars annually. Further, the reduced time traveling to and from place ofemployment will enable families to spend more time together. Increased income and more time with familymembers leads to neighborhood stability.

Rising income combined with neighborhood stability reduces poverty and leads to decreased crime.Residents will also benefit from heightened security features built into the project to create a saferenvironment.

Gateway on Clarendon successfully competed against 19 other applicants vying for funds from the City ofDallas. The Project addresses our City's key objectives and we respectfully request that TDHCA waive itsundesirable neighborhood characteristics conditions to assist the City ofDalIas achieve its goals of transit-oriented, workforce housing catering to families in South Dallas.

Best regards,

Michael SMayor

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY HALL 1500 MARILLA ST., 5EN DALLAS, TEXAS 75201