81R4351 ACP-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 2290
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to providing housing assistance to rural communities and
small municipalities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2306.0521(b), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) This section does not apply to:
(1) the manufactured housing division; or
(2) the division for rural community and small
municipality housing initiatives established by Section 2306.302.
SECTION 2. Section 2306.253, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:
(a-1) In addition to the education program implemented
under Subsection (a), the department shall develop and implement a
homebuyer education program designed to provide information and
counseling to individuals and families of low income in rural
communities and small municipalities. The education program must
address topics relating to:
(1) the home buying process;
(2) financial literacy;
(3) foreclosure remediation; and
(4) other programs determined by the department as
necessary to increase home ownership by individuals and families of
low income.
(a-2) The department may require any person who receives
mortgage-based financial assistance from the department to
complete the homebuyer education program established by Subsection
(a-1).
SECTION 3. Chapter 2306, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter N to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER N. RURAL COMMUNITY AND SMALL MUNICIPALITY
HOUSING INITIATIVES
Sec. 2306.301. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "division"
means the division established by Section 2306.302 to support rural
community and small municipality housing initiatives.
Sec. 2306.302. ESTABLISHMENT OF DIVISION. (a) The
department shall establish a division to support rural community
and small municipality housing initiatives.
(b) The department by rule shall define:
(1) a small municipality; and
(2) a rural community.
Sec. 2306.303. REGIONAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) The division shall establish regional nonprofit housing
development organizations that serve rural communities and small
municipalities in accordance with the purposes of this subchapter.
(b) To implement this section, the department may use any
money available to the department for the purpose, including
legislative appropriations and gifts, grants, and donations.
(c) The division may use the services of the Texas State
Affordable Housing Corporation when necessary to accomplish the
purposes of this section.
Sec. 2306.304. TRAINING. The division annually shall
provide to elected officials, community organizations, nonprofit
organizations, and private developers a training course that
addresses housing programs and techniques that increase housing
opportunities in rural communities and small municipalities. The
division shall provide the course at an appropriate location
selected by the division and shall make the course available online
in real time.
Sec. 2306.305. RURAL GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR. (a) The
director shall designate a rural grants administrator within the
division established by Section 2306.302.
(b) The rural grants administrator shall:
(1) oversee and coordinate division initiatives that
are directed toward specific rural communities or small
municipalities; and
(2) provide information to the director and the board
regarding the impact of proposed department programs, rules, and
initiatives on housing opportunities in rural communities and small
municipalities.
Sec. 2306.306. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ASSISTANCE. On
the request of the governing body of a municipality or county, the
division shall assign a department employee or independent
contractor to assist the municipality or county in:
(1) developing comprehensive housing plans for rural
communities and small municipalities in that county;
(2) supporting housing development initiatives in
those communities and municipalities; and
(3) identifying financial resources available for
those plans and initiatives.
Sec. 2306.307. RURAL COMMUNITY AND SMALL MUNICIPALITY
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROJECTS. Notwithstanding other program
rules and procedures of the department, the division may establish
pilot projects to test and develop new approaches to providing
housing in rural communities and small municipalities for:
(1) individuals and families of low income;
(2) individuals and families of very low income; or
(3) agricultural workers.
Sec. 2306.308. AGRICULTURAL WORKER HOUSING INITIATIVE. (a)
The division shall fund housing initiatives that serve agricultural
workers, including:
(1) new housing initiatives;
(2) housing rehabilitation initiatives; or
(3) tenant-based rental assistance.
(b) The division may designate a housing initiative for
agricultural workers as a pilot project authorized under Section
2306.307.
(c) The division shall coordinate with other appropriate
divisions of the department to:
(1) document agricultural worker housing needs;
(2) determine whether a housing need documented by the
department is critical; and
(3) develop initiatives to address those housing
needs.
(d) The division may use any available funds to implement
this section, including legislative appropriations and gifts,
grants, and donations.
Sec. 2306.309. RURAL LAND BANK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. (a)
The department may adopt a rural land bank demonstration program,
or may enter into a memorandum of understanding requiring the Texas
State Affordable Housing Corporation to adopt a rural land bank
demonstration program, in which the officer charged with selling
real property ordered sold pursuant to foreclosure of a tax lien may
sell certain eligible real property by private sale for purposes of
affordable housing development as provided by department rule.
(b) The department may adopt any rules necessary for the
purposes of the program, including a rule to establish or approve a
land bank for the purpose of acquiring, holding, and transferring
unimproved real property under this section.
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs shall implement the
homebuyer education program required by Section 2306.253(a-1),
Government Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than October 1, 2009, the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs shall adopt the rules required by
Subchapter N, Chapter 2306, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.