Bond money can help workers like teachers afford housing in Fort Worth | Opinion

Fort Worth is growing quickly, and with that growth comes real pressure on infrastructure, housing and the people who keep our city running every day.

As the City Council prepares to vote Feb. 10 on whether to place a bond package before voters, the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors appreciates the inclusion of $10 million earmarked for affordable housing for the first time. This signals that city leaders recognize housing affordability is an issue, but there’s still concern about whether it’s enough to make a mark on the city’s needs.

An investment this crucial to the people of Fort Worth should take a higher priority, with more funds allocated, not a mere 1.2% of the $845 million bond package. However, even if the affordable housing allocation stays at $10 million, the community deserves greater clarity on its scope.

What does “affordable housing” mean to the city? Our organization advocates for attainable workforce housing. Attainable workforce housing is not a buzzword, and it is not synonymous with subsidized or government-assisted housing programs. It refers to unsubsidized housing designed for moderate-income households, typically those earning 80% to 120% of the area’s median income.

These households often earn too much to qualify for subsidized affordable housing but not enough to comfortably afford many market-rate homes. They are the “missing middle,” and when done right, workforce housing focuses on bridging the gap between low-income and high-end housing options and commonly includes single-family homes. Attainable homeownership opportunities open the door for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers and other essential employees who earn steady incomes but struggle to afford homes near their jobs.

As a longtime advocate for affordable and attainable housing, our group believes that this funding must benefit the health and vitality of the Fort Worth community, not just in the short term but for decades to come. That starts with transparency.

It is important for the city to clearly communicate how the affordable housing funds will be used so the public understands the impact. Key details include whether the dollars will support down payment assistance, infrastructure for new housing, land acquisition or public-private partnerships; what income guidelines will apply; and what safeguards will ensure these homes remain attainable over time. Clear information on these points helps residents and stakeholders see how the investment will serve the community.

These details matter to taxpayers and the long-term health of Fort Worth. Our community should fully understand what is being proposed before a vote.

Public dollars should be invested in housing solutions that promote responsible homeownership, place homes on the tax rolls and strengthen neighborhoods. We do not support handouts. We support policies that help working families bridge the gap to ownership while contributing to the city’s economic base and stability.

Transparency is also essential to understanding impact. With clear parameters, the public can evaluate how many homes this investment could realistically help create, who would qualify to purchase them and how those homes would serve Fort Worth over time. Without that clarity, it is difficult to measure success or to determine whether additional investment will be needed to meet real demand.

Attainable workforce housing is more than a housing issue; it is an economic concern. According to Trinity Habitat for Humanity, a 10-year Fort Worth ISD teacher’s salary is $72,000, and a home a teacher can afford costs $238,000. The 2025 median home price in Fort Worth was nearly $331,000. The teachers we trust to educate our children cannot easily achieve the dream of homeownership with this significant affordability gap.

When essential workers can live in the communities they serve, Fort Worth benefits through shorter commutes, stronger neighborhoods, increased local spending and greater workforce stability. When they cannot, cities risk losing workers to surrounding communities, increasing traffic congestion and weakening the very services residents rely on.

We have seen rising housing costs in other Texas cities push workers farther away from their jobs, contributing to longer commutes and workforce challenges. Fort Worth has an opportunity to address this proactively, but doing so requires clear goals, defined outcomes and accountability.

We also recognize that housing and infrastructure go hand in hand. Roads, utilities and public services must support new development, and the area’s emerging industries will bring additional workers who will need places to live. Planning for growth means thinking holistically and transparently.

We support the inclusion of workforce housing in the proposed bond. At the same time, we believe Fort Worth residents deserve a clearer understanding of how these funds will be used and administered, who they will serve and how they will strengthen our city long term.

Transparency builds trust. Accountability ensures impact. And thoughtful planning ensures that housing investments truly benefit the future of the Fort Worth community.

Shawn Buck is the 2026 president of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors.

This story was originally published February 4, 2026 at 4:28 AM.