Dallas landlords, nonprofits join forces

By Juliette Coulter

Family Gateway, which provides stability and life-changing supportive services to children and families affected by homelessness, has increased its capacity to serve more North Texas families through the opening of the new Simmons Family Gateway Resource Center. The Center is located at 1421 W. Mockingbird Ln., housed in space that Family Gateway leased from the building owner, Catholic Charities Dallas. Family Gateway’s 35-room Emergency Shelter in downtown Dallas, which also previously housed the organization’s offices, is now dedicated solely to shelter services. Family Gateway was represented in the transaction by Eliza Solender of Solender/Hall, who negotiated the deal with the two nonprofits. The seven-year lease is for approximately 6,300 square feet of space.  

“As commercial real estate continues to increase in value, nonprofit organizations are seeing more of their budget go toward rent and real estate related costs, thus they have to become ever more creative in how they fulfill their space requirements,” said Solender. “A transaction like this is so satisfying because it is a win-win for both organizations. We have an understanding landlord who recognizes the unique needs of a nonprofit service provider and wants to find opportunities for collaboration. Both organizations will be able to focus more of their scarce resources on critical community services.”

The Simmons Family Gateway Resource Center houses the organization’s high-volume Assessment and Diversion practice, supportive housing case managers and a vocational/employment case manager. Families with children experiencing or near homelessness will now be assessed at the new space. As a result, four additional rooms have been added.