Texas House Bill HB2109

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the evaluation of applications for certain financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Impact

The bill introduces a scoring system that ranks applications based on several criteria, such as financial feasibility, community participation, and the quality of the proposed development. It seeks to prioritize developments that not only aim to provide low-income housing but also engage and involve the community effectively. By mandating written notifications to local representatives and community organizations prior to application submission, the bill intends to foster communication and encourage local input into housing projects that may affect them.

Summary

House Bill 2109 amends the Government Code to refine the evaluation procedure for applications for certain financial assistance provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The bill focuses on the criteria and requirements necessary for applicants to qualify for low-income housing tax credits. It emphasizes the importance of community involvement and local government notification at various stages of the application process, thereby ensuring transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Contention

While the bill aims to create a more equitable and comprehensive process for housing assistance applications, it may raise concerns about the bureaucratic burden it could impose on applicants. Critics may argue that the added requirements for community input and notifications could slow down the application process and create hurdles for developers seeking to secure funding for important housing projects. Additionally, the requirement for transparency may face pushback from those who believe it could lead to local opposition and potentially hinder the development of essential housing in desperate areas.