81R9340 JAM-D

By: Davis of Dallas H.B. No. 3162

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the development of a long-range state low income housing plan.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2306.0725 to read as follows:

Sec. 2306.0725. LONG-RANGE LOW INCOME HOUSING PLAN. (a) The director shall prepare and submit to the board an integrated long-range state low income housing plan covering at least six years.

(b) Not later than the 30th day after the date the board receives and approves the plan, the board shall submit the plan to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The plan must establish policy goals for meeting low income housing needs on a statewide and regional basis and prescribe strategies to meet those goals. The plan must include:

(1) an estimate and analysis of the housing needs of the following populations in each uniform state service region:

(A) individuals and families of moderate, low, very low, and extremely low income;

(B) individuals with special needs, with specific emphasis on the needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities; and

(C) homeless individuals;

(2) a proposal to use all available housing resources to address the housing needs of the populations described by Subdivision (1) by establishing funding levels for all housing-related programs;

(3) an estimate of the number of federally assisted housing units available for individuals and families of low and very low income and individuals with special needs in each uniform state service region;

(4) a description of state programs that govern the use of all available housing resources;

(5) a resource allocation plan that targets all available housing resources to individuals and families of low and very low income and individuals with special needs in each uniform state service region;

(6) a description of the department's efforts to monitor and analyze the unused or underused federal resources of other state agencies for housing-related services and services for homeless individuals and the department's recommendations to ensure the full use by the state of all available federal resources for those services in each uniform state service region;

(7) strategies to provide housing for individuals and families with special needs in each uniform state service region;

(8) a description of the department's efforts to encourage in each uniform state service region the construction of housing units that incorporate energy efficient construction and appliances;

(9) an estimate and analysis of the housing supply in each uniform state service region;

(10) an inventory of all publicly and, where possible, privately funded housing resources, including public housing authorities, housing finance corporations, community housing development organizations, and community action agencies;

(11) strategies for meeting rural housing needs;

(12) an action plan for colonias that addresses current policy goals for colonia programs, strategies to meet the policy goals, and the projected outcomes with respect to the policy goals; and

(13) strategies for eliminating redundant and inefficient practices.

(d) The priorities and policies in each housing plan adopted by the department must be consistent to the extent practical with the priorities and policies established in the long-range state low income housing plan.

(e) The director may subdivide the uniform state service regions as necessary for purposes of the long-range state low income housing plan.

SECTION 2. The executive director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs shall submit to the governing board of the department the first long-range state low income housing plan, as required by Section 2306.0725, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than March 18, 2010.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.