The Brief: Eviction Threat Targets Dallas' Poorest Neighborhoods

The Big Conversation

Hundreds of Dallas families in the city's poorest neighborhoods may become homeless following a threat from a real estate company to evict tenants at 305 rental houses.

The landlord, HMK Ltd., said the closures would come as a result of five pending lawsuits from the city over living conditions in its houses. Although the city asked for court orders in August that would’ve forced the company to comply with housing standards, tenants told WFAA that their homes had leaks and extensive damages.

In a statement, the city said it’s not forcing the company to close its doors to its current residents, and that “HMK would not need to close so many dwellings had it properly maintained them.”

As the Tribune’s Brandon Formby reports, Dallas struggles with an existing homeless crisis and some of the nation’s worst poverty rates. However, officials are putting together a team to figure out how to help affected residents. In a statement to the Tribune, Mayor Mike Rawlings said, “Our office will do everything we can to ensure that HMK tenants are not put out on streets.”

Trib Must Reads

State Admits Failures in Child Welfare Oversight, Trump's Women Woes (Video), by Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn — In the Roundup: Child welfare agency failures, teen drivers could be taught how to deal with police and Trump's challenges with Texas women.

Coming Soon: Investigating Central American Migration and the U.S.-Mexico Border, by Bobby Blanchard — The next installment of Bordering on Insecurity will roll out Oct. 10 to Oct. 27. Watch a preview here.

Classified Site's CEO Arrested on Pimping Charges, by Nicole Cobler — Backpage.com was the subject of a joint investigation by California and Texas authorities who say the site's adult advertising facilitates human trafficking. 

Gallego Says He Didn't Lobby After Leaving Congress, by Patrick Svitek — In the state's most competitive congressional race, Pete Gallego pushed back Thursday on claims that he became a lobbyist after losing the seat to U.S. Rep. Will Hurd two years ago. 

Elsewhere

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

Ex-Dallas mayor, a Republican, urges GOP to not vote for 'manifestly unqualified' Trump, The Dallas Morning News

Told to cut their budgets, Texas agencies respond with fatalism, flair, Austin American-Statesman

Oil settles above $50 a barrel for first time since June, Houston Chronicle 

Once defiant Ted Cruz caught phone-banking for Trump, USA TODAY

Bexar County Dems’ bid to remove incumbent from ballot fails, San Antonio Express-News

AAA survey finds retail gasoline prices in Texas up 4 cents, Houston Chronicle

Kennedy: Texas voter fraud? ‘Elections have been stolen,’ Lon Burnam says, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Texas officers find dozens of people held captive in homes, The Associated Press

Quote to Note

"As Hurricane Matthew prepares to impact the United States, it is crucial that our fellow Americans receive the assistance they need. I ask that all Texans keep those in the path of Hurricane Matthew in their thoughts and prayers as they brace for the impact of this major hurricane."

— Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Thursday after announcing that Texas approved sending resources for disaster relief to Florida in preparation for Hurricane Matthew.

Today in TribTalk

What the 1824 election can teach us about 2016, by Mustafa Tameez — How odd it would be if, after this grueling election season, neither one of our major candidates gets a majority of electoral votes? It's happened before.

News From Home

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Trib Events for the Calendar

•   The Texas Response To Zika on Oct. 18 at BCBSTX Headquarters in Richardson

•   The Ticket: A Live Recording and Presidential Debate Watch Party on Oct. 19 at KLRU Studio 6A

•   A Conversation with U.S. Rep Michael McCaul on Oct. 25 at The Austin Club 

•   "Along Came Kinky" Screening and Conversation on Oct. 27 at the LBJ Library

•   A Conversation with U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke on Nov. 4 at The Austin Club 

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville