Texas House Bill HB3219

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/09

Caption

Relating to the creation and operation of a council to increase state efforts to offer service-enriched housing through increased coordination of housing and health services.

Impact

If enacted, HB3219 would impact state housing policies by ensuring a more integrated approach to housing and health services. It seeks to address barriers that may slow down the creation of service-enriched housing through collaboration across different sectors. The bill emphasizes identifying funding sources, training staff in both housing and health services, and developing a system to monitor service-enriched housing projects funded by state or federal assistance. This will likely result in increased funding opportunities and streamlined processes for developing service-enriched housing.

Summary

House Bill 3219 is aimed at enhancing the coordination between housing and health services in Texas through the establishment of a dedicated council. This legislation seeks to create a Housing and Health Services Coordination Council that would comprise members from various agencies, including the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation and the Health and Human Services Commission. The council's primary objective is to improve the quality and availability of service-enriched housing for individuals, particularly focusing on older adults and persons with disabilities. It mandates the council to meet quarterly and issue a biannual report detailing their activities, findings, and recommendations.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB3219 could arise from differing perspectives on how to balance regulatory requirements with the need for enhanced housing and health service coordination. Supporters believe that this bill is essential to meet the growing demand for service-enriched housing, especially as the population ages. On the other hand, there may be concerns from local entities about the potential centralization of authority and changes in local funding dynamics related to affordable housing initiatives. Overall, the bill represents a critical step towards fostering collaboration and enhancing services for vulnerable populations in Texas.