Texas House Bill HB2344

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/28/09
• Voted on by House: 5/6/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/18/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/23/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/31/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the urban land bank demonstration program in certain municipalities.

Impact

This legislation aims to enhance the state's efforts toward increasing the availability of affordable housing, particularly in urban areas where housing supply is tight. By adjusting the rules governing the sale and development of properties acquired through tax lien foreclosures, the bill seeks to streamline and expedite the process of converting unsold, foreclosed properties into livable units for low-income households. Additionally, the bill introduces specific conditions under which properties may revert to the land bank if developers do not promptly move forward with construction, adding an element of accountability to the program.

Summary

House Bill 2344 proposes amendments to the urban land bank demonstration program, specifically in how municipalities can manage tax lien properties for the development of affordable housing. The bill outlines the procedures by which properties sold due to tax lien foreclosure may be transferred to a land bank under particular conditions, emphasizing that these properties should be used for the creation of affordable housing units. One of the notable changes includes allowing a developer to sell their acquired property to another developer, provided that the latter agrees to also develop affordable housing, thereby facilitating more flexible property development policies in urban areas.

Contention

While the intention behind HB 2344 is largely seen as a positive step towards tackling the affordable housing crisis, there may be points of contention regarding its implementation and effectiveness. Critics could argue that the mechanisms for oversight in property sales might not fully address the complexities of local housing markets. Furthermore, the reliance on developers to create affordable housing raises questions about potential profit motives overriding community needs. Opponents could point out that allowing land banks to dictate property transactions may also lead to inequitable housing developments in the long term.