Texas House Bill HB834

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 11/30/22
• Out of House Committee: 4/17/23

Caption

Relating to the establishment by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs of a pilot program to solicit donations made by text message for the benefit of local programs that provide services to homeless individuals and families in certain municipalities.

Impact

The implementation of the 'text-to-donate' program is expected to enhance the funding available for local initiatives aimed at preventing and alleviating homelessness. By allowing donations through a simple text message, the program is structured to ensure that a significant portion of the contributions (at least 65%) will directly support housing-related costs, while providing funds for transportation and promotional activities. This structured allocation aims to maximize the impact of donations and create an effective channel through which residents can actively participate in addressing homelessness in their communities.

Summary

House Bill 834 aims to establish a pilot program by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs that allows individuals to make donations via text message to support local programs providing services to homeless individuals and families in municipalities with populations of 285,000 or more. This initiative is designed to streamline the donation process, encouraging private contributions to assist those in need. The bill underscores the importance of providing additional funding sources for organizations already working to combat homelessness within the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB834 appears to be generally positive, with support from both legislative members who recognize the necessity of finding innovative solutions to homelessness and community advocates striving for additional resources. The discussions indicate a shared understanding that traditional funding methods may not sufficiently address the urgency of the issue. However, it's important to note that while the proposal has received support, any new program implementation will lead to discussions about oversight and the effectiveness of funds allocation.

Contention

While HB834 has received favorable mentions, potential points of contention may arise regarding the management of the program and how funds are distributed among various local organizations. There may be concerns about the transparency of the donation process and whether sufficient safeguards are in place to protect donor information. Additionally, as this pilot program is implemented in specific municipalities, it raises questions about scalability and whether similar initiatives will be created for smaller communities lacking the same level of population resources.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 2306. Texas Department Of Housing And Community Affairs
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section