Relating to recipients of financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Impact
The implications of HB59 extend to the regulation of housing developments that utilize state-administered financial assistance. The bill mandates that such developments must create policies ensuring compliance with the reservation of housing units for very low-income residents and must not refuse rental assistance recipients. This legislative change is expected to enhance the availability of affordable housing options and ensure that vulnerable populations have access to necessary housing resources.
Summary
House Bill 59 introduces amendments to Section 2306.111 of the Government Code, focusing on financial assistance provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The primary objective of this bill is to ensure that housing developments receiving financial support reserve a certain number of units for individuals and families classified as very low income. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that these developments must accept tenants who are receiving rental assistance under federal or state programs, aiming to promote accessibility in housing for economically disadvantaged groups.
Contention
While the bill seeks to provide important protections for low-income families, there may be points of contention regarding enforcement and the potential impact on the financial viability of housing developments. Concerns might arise from developers about the economic implications of reserving housing for very low-income individuals, potentially leading to pushback from industry stakeholders. Moreover, the establishment of enforcement mechanisms may raise questions about how compliance will be monitored and what repercussions will be in place for non-compliance, which could create tensions between developers and the state.
Relating to prohibiting the consideration of certain criminal history information of a prospective tenant of a housing development operated by a public housing authority or operated by a recipient of financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Relating to a right of first refusal applicable to the sale of housing developments that have received certain financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Relating to a study on mold contamination in housing developments supported by financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Relating to the establishment of a program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and certain county housing authorities to incentivize landlords to accept tenants participating in the housing choice voucher program.
Relating to the establishment and implementation by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs of the Texas Tenant Readiness and Landlord Incentive Pilot Program.