Many times the focus of real estate is the bigger and more opulent the home the better. But homeownership is up for all economic levels, at a national rate of 77 percent, and one program has teachers and police officers jumping for affordable housing joy.

Enterprise and the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development announced yesterday "the success of the affordable housing program, Enterprise Home Ownership Partners (EHOP-Dallas, Inc.)," which is "committed to helping residents with limited incomes achieve homeownership, which is proven to be the essential platform for improving communities, combating poverty and providing a safe and healthy place to raise a family."

Homes are available through this program from $60,000 to $95,000. EHOP-Dallas is able to provide this pricing by purchasing HUD-owned, foreclosed homes at discount prices.

Our real estate experts in Dallas, Texas, have been noting that the Dallas market, while strongly favoring buyers at this point, is doing great. One expert noted, "People are moving into Dallas from all over the U.S. Some are buying the older homes on large lots and building new homes."

The average home price in Dallas and the surrounding cities ranges widely. One can find a decent home for anywhere from $100,000 to $1,500,000 on the market right now.

Dallas, however, is not the only U.S. city that is succeeding in providing adequate and affordable housing to those with lower income levels. One only need travel a few hours south to the city of Austin, Texas to see the programs of the Neighborhood and Community Development Department'.

Their mission is "to provide housing, community, and small business development services to benefit eligible residents, so they can have access to livable neighborhoods and increase their opportunities for self-sufficiency."

They offer a wide range of programs that help current owner with mortgages, first time buyers with purchases, and provide temporary housing for the homeless.

Our experts report that the Austin market is still in favor of sellers, but the number of listings has dropped 1.23 percent since last year at this time. Prices have decreased slightly, making the average home price around $212,036, a .34 percent decrease in price.

For more information on the Dallas program, please visit enterprisecommunity.org.