BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2181
88R13214 JG-F	By: Rose et al. (West)
	Local Government
	5/19/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Youth homelessness is a serious problem in Texas, affecting urban and rural communities alike. The state's failure to prevent youth homelessness or aid those experiencing homelessness often leads to unnecessary and costly consequences, including academic failure, criminal justice system involvement, and physical and mental health challenges. Youth Count Texas listed the top reasons why youth and young adults are homeless or do not have a permanent place to live. These included reasons relating to finances, criminal justice, abandonment by a parent or guardian, and involvement with foster care or Child Protective Services. Among young adults ages 18�25, a survey by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago found that one in 10 experiences some form of homelessness over the course of one year, and in both rural and urban counties, more than nine percent are homeless. Additionally, one in 30 youth ages 13-17 surveyed experienced a form of homelessness over a 12-month period. Of those experiencing homelessness, 29 percent of youth were reported as having substance use problems, and 69 percent were indicated as having mental health difficulties. Providing aid to these young adults in the first months of their independence would help ensure they are able to pull themselves out of this vicious cycle of poverty. H.B. 2181 seeks to address this issue by providing for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to administer a youth and young adult homeless housing and services grant program.

H.B. 2181 amends current law relating to the administration by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs of a homeless housing and services program for youth and young adults.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in SECTION 1 (Section 2306.2586, Government Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, by adding Section 2306.2586, as follows:

Sec. 2306.2586.� YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT HOMELESS HOUSING AND SERVICES PROGRAM. (a) Defines "young adult."

(b) Authorizes the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to administer a youth and young adult homeless housing and services grant program to:

(1)� provide for the construction, development, or procurement of housing for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness;

(2)� provide financial assistance to local providers of programs and services to prevent and eliminate homelessness; and

(3)� increase access to safe housing and services for youth and young adults across this state.

(c)� Authorizes TDHCA to adopt rules to govern the program's administration, including rules:

(1)� providing for the allocation of any available money for the program; and

(2)� prescribing detailed guidelines on the scope of the program.

(d)� Authorizes TDHCA to use any available money to administer the program, including legislative appropriations, appropriation transfers from the trusteed programs within the Office of the Governor, available federal money, and any other statutorily authorized and appropriate funding sources.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.