Fort Worth Architecture
The 15 acres includes 140 duplex/triplex/quadplex units. There are 16 one-bedroom units and 124 two-bedroom units.
Property that for years was home to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary students studying the Gospels will soon be put to use for the good of human welfare.
The school has agreed to sell a 15-acre plot of the former B.H. Carroll student housing to the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp. in a public-private enterprise designed to provide shelter for the city’s most vulnerable, including homeless families.
The acquisition is expected to cost about $11 million. The property has 140 units in duplex, triplex and quadplex units. While the unit mix is still under discussion, about half the units could be designated for victims of domestic violence and the rest could serve families exiting homelessness.
The property is three city blocks bordered by West Drew Street, McCart Avenue, West Bolt Street and Lubbock Avenue. It is expected to house up to 140 families.
“This project is a perfect example of Fort Worth’s commitment to families and ensuring every child has the support they need to be successful,” said Mayor Mattie Parker in a statement. “As we face a crisis of family homelessness across the country, we are fortunate in Fort Worth to have nonprofit and philanthropic partners that are committed to working alongside the city to ensure we are investing in the needed housing and services for our most vulnerable.”
Leases for some units could begin this year, according to the city.
The partnership includes the city of Fort Worth and two primary non-profit organizations who will manage the project, One Safe Place and Samaritan House, with support from other philanthropic organizations including the Rainwater, Morris, Amon Carter, and Sid Richardson foundations, and the Paulos Foundation.
One Safe Place has committed to raise $5 million. Tarrant County Samaritan House Inc. was awarded $4.1 million of federal funds by the city of Fort Worth that could be moved to this project. A $1.1 million commitment by Rainwater, Morris, Amon Carter and Sid Richardson foundations have committed $1.1 million. The Paulos Foundation has committed $800,000.
Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp. is the housing development arm of the city of Fort Worth.
“Too many families experience unstable housing due to economic circumstances or emergency situations, and this instability impacts every aspect of a family’s life from employment opportunities to children’s education,” said Sarah Greer, program officer of Rainwater Charitable Foundation. “This project will leverage community partnerships, an accessible location and existing infrastructure to provide affordable housing coupled with supportive services and neighborhood amenities to help families thrive.”
The seminary had considered selling the property for a number of years. In October, its board of trustees announced that it would. Seminary officials said at the time that housing on the main campus would better accommodate the needs of residential housing on the B.H. Carroll property, which is not contiguous with the campus.
“We are overjoyed that this property so many seminary families have called home over the decades can now be used to meet a critical need in our city — housing for the most vulnerable among us, including families experiencing homelessness,” said David Dockery, interim president of the seminary. “We remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our students who are still living at Carroll Park as we work with the city and other partners to finalize this historic transaction.”
Benajah Harvey Carroll organized the Baylor Theological Seminary in 1905 and led in the founding of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1908. He served as its president until his death in 1914.
According to the city, in the last quarter of 2022, there were 200 homeless families compared to the last quarter of 2021, when there were about 130 homeless families — more than a 50% increase.
“This project will transform lives, build stronger families, and improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children,” said District 9 Councilmember Elizabeth Beck. “It will provide housing for families experiencing homelessness and a stable refuge for survivors of domestic violence, complete with the wraparound services needed for families to heal and build the resiliency needed to chart a path forward to bright futures in our community.”