By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1838
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the transfer of housing funds from the Texas Department
of Housing and Community Affairs to the Texas Veterans Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2306.202(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.202. USE OF HOUSING TRUST FUND. (a) The
department, through the housing finance division, shall use the
housing trust fund to provide loans, grants, or other comparable
forms of assistance to local units of government, public housing
authorities, nonprofit organizations, and income-eligible
individuals, families, and households to finance, acquire,
rehabilitate, and develop decent, safe, and sanitary housing. In
each biennium the first $2.6 million available through the housing
trust fund for loans, grants, or other comparable forms of
assistance shall be set aside and made available exclusively for
local units of government, public housing authorities, and
nonprofit organizations; the next $4 million in each biennium shall
transfer to the Texas Veterans Commission for the Veterans Housing
Assistance Program. Any additional funds may also be made
available to for-profit organizations provided that at least 45
percent of available funds, as determined on September 1 of each
state fiscal year, in excess of the first $2.6 million shall be made
available to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of acquiring,
rehabilitating, and developing decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
The remaining portion shall be distributed to nonprofit
organizations, for-profit organizations, and other eligible
entities. Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, but
subject to the limitations in Section 2306.251(c), the department
may also use the fund to acquire property to endow the fund.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.