On this episode of Dallas Dirt, host Candy Evans engages with Phillip Huffines, President and CEO co-owner of Huffines Communities, to discuss his journey from selling fireworks to becoming a notable figure in North Texas real estate development. Huffines provides a candid look into building communities, addressing challenges, and understanding the nuances of the real estate industry.

One candid take — Huffines said that city regulations and impact fees — are one-time charges levied by local governments on new development projects to help fund capital improvements and facility expansions necessitated by the growth like roads, schools, police and fire, and parks — can add as much as $30,000 to the price of a home.

This episode of Dallas Dirt offers a closer look at the complexities of real estate development through the lens of Phillip Huffines. The discussion underscores the interplay of regulations, market forces, and community planning in shaping North Texas's housing landscape.

On this episode of Dallas Dirt, host Candy Evans takes listeners on a journey to the Texas Gulf Coast to discover Cinnamon Shore, a premier vacation home community in Port Aransas, Texas, with mother-and-daughter team Lee Ann Peters and Jodi Peters. At this luxury vacation rental and homeowner community on Mustang Island, palm trees line the sidewalks and bright flora dot the community,

Learn about Cinnamon Shore's unique charm, its inspiration from Florida's 30A, and how it has grown into a sought-after destination for Texans. The Peters share their journey from Atlanta to Texas, and the coastal lifestyle at Cinnamon Shore, including walkable neighborhoods, top-notch amenities, and sustainable building practices.

The episode highlights the community's development phases, the impact of events like Hurricane Harvey and COVID-19, and future growth plans, all while maintaining the quaint, seaside village feel of Port Aransas.

On this episode of Dallas Dirt, host April Towery sat down with members of a grassroots coalition to bring affordable housing solutions to the spotlight — Bryan Tony, organizing board chair of the Dallas Housing Coalition, and Ashley Brundage, board chair and CEO of Dallas-Area Habitat for Humanity.

The Dallas Housing Coalition was formed back in June 2023, when more than 75 grassroots organizations joined forces to convince the Dallas City Council to allot $200 million for housing in the 2024 bond election. Ultimately, voters approved $82M across three propositions and the Coalition has grown to more than 245 organizations and individuals.

Tony presented a stark picture of the housing deficit, citing data from the Child Poverty Action Lab and other research institutions. The studies reveal a shortfall of nearly 40,000 housing units for families earning less than 50% of the area median income — a gap that continues to drive housing costs upwards. Brundage echoed the need for diverse housing options to cater to all income levels and individuals at various life stages. "We have to create more housing," she said.