BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1277

By: Campos

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to a recent report, more than 25,000 individuals are affected by homelessness in Texas. There have been calls to address interim housing and other services for the purpose of homelessness prevention and mitigation. H.B. 1277 seeks to address this issue by funding a transitional housing pilot program through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1277 amends the Government Code to fund the transitional housing pilot program of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) with money contributed to the Ending Homelessness fund. The bill authorizes the TDHCA to do the following:

· operate the program in coordination with one or more counties or municipalities;

· provide a grant from the fund to a county or municipality with which the TDHCA coordinates to operate the program; and

· adopt rules as necessary to implement the program.

H.B. 1277 amends the Transportation Code to require the TDHCA to give priority in issuing grants from the fund to counties and municipalities that coordinate with the TDHCA in the program's operation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.