Texas House Bill HB416

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the system by which an application for a low income housing tax credit is scored.

Impact

The proposed amendments under HB 416 are designed to align the application evaluation process with community interests and investment viability. By incorporating explicit scoring metrics that emphasize financial feasibility alongside community support, the bill addresses prior challenges in the allocation process that may have favored less viable projects. The new structure not only aims to enhance the quality of applications but also seeks to promote community engagement by depending on feedback from local government entities and resident organizations.

Summary

House Bill 416 focuses on reforming the process by which low-income housing tax credit applications are scored in Texas. The bill seeks to amend the criteria outlined in the Government Code pertaining to the scoring and ranking of these applications. Specifically, it aims to prioritize financial feasibility, community participation, and other quantitative measures that reflect the potential benefits and impacts of the proposed housing developments. This change is intended to enhance transparency and allocate resources more effectively in the awarding of tax credits for low-income housing projects.

Contention

Notably, discussions around HB 416 may revolve around the extent to which the scoring criteria could either support or hinder the development of low-income housing. Stakeholders may express concerns regarding whether the increased focus on financial metrics could prevent deserving projects, particularly those in high-need areas or those lacking immediate financial viability due to economic conditions. This tension between financial metrics and fulfilling community housing needs is expected to prompt debates among legislators, community advocates, and developers.