The House Committee on Urban Affairs

84th Legislature

May 23, 2016

10:00 a.m.

Houston City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

Pursuant to a notice posted on May 17, 2016, the House Committee on Urban Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Alvarado, at 10:23 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Alvarado; Hunter; Anderson, Rodney; Bernal; Elkins; and White, Molly.

A quorum was present.

City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner provided welcome remarks.

The committee met to take testimony on the following charges:

Examine whether changes are needed to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’s (TDHCA) low-income tax credit program to ensure compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs et al. v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., et al. on fair housing in Texas.

Review existing housing programs and policies in Texas to determine how to best comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rules.

Monitor and evaluate the availability of low-income housing in the State of Texas. Identify best practices to ensure that the agencies and local providers receiving state or federal funds for low-income housing are maximizing the number of units of housing available to Texans who need this program.

Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies, including the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and the implementing of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:

 a) consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;

 b) identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;

 c) determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and

 d) identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 12:53 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Alvarado, Chair

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Crystal Ford, Clerk