How HB 385 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 2 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 371.001(a), Local Government Code, Section 371.021(a), Local Government Code.

• Section 371.001(a), Local Government Code

  : (1) ; and (2) promoting awareness of affordable housing options in the municipality, including by promoting the database described by Section 373C.052

  amended

• Section 371.021(a), Local Government Code

  : (1) ; and (2) promoting awareness of affordable housing options in the municipality, including by promoting the database described by Section 373C.052

  amended

• CHAPTER 373C. COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING AVAILABILITY SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 373C.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Affordable housing unit" means: (A) an income-restricted or income-based housing unit, including: (i) a housing unit that may be obtained with a voucher provided through the housing choice voucher program under Section 8, United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. Section 1437f); (ii) a public housing unit; (iii) a permanent supportive housing unit provided through a program operated by the Health and Human Services Commission; (iv) a unit that is part of a service-enriched housing project described by Subchapter NN, Chapter 2306, Government Code; and (v) a unit provided through an affordable housing initiative operated by a municipality; and (B) a rental housing unit not described by Paragraph (A) for which rent is not more than 30 percent of the lowest household income quartile in a municipality. (2) "Department" means the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Sec. 373C.002. APPLICABILITY. (a) This chapter applies to a municipality qualified to receive federal grants under the community development block grant entitlement program authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Section 5301 et seq.). (b) A municipality not described by Subsection (a) may participate in the collection and publication of affordable housing information described by Subchapter B. A municipality that elects to participate is subject to the requirements of this chapter. SUBCHAPTER B. COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION Sec. 373C.051. ANNUAL MUNICIPAL SURVEY. (a) A municipality shall conduct an annual survey of all affordable housing units located in the municipality. The survey must collect the following information for each unit, as applicable: (1) the unit type; (2) the monthly rent; (3) the estimated monthly cost of basic utilities not included in the rent amount; (4) any eligibility requirement, including any average median income restriction; (5) the length of any waiting list; (6) each social service provided to a tenant, including a supportive service; (7) the distance to nearby essential services, including: (A) public transit stops; (B) public elementary and secondary schools; (C) community health centers; (D) emergency medical facilities; (E) public safety facilities, including fire departments or police stations; (F) community centers; and (G) food retailers providing grocery items and fresh produce; (8) the distance to public community spaces, including parks, sports facilities, and playgrounds; and (9) a telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address for a prospective tenant to inquire about renting the unit. (b) A municipality may collect and use the information required to be collected by Subsection (a) from any available source, including information collected for a survey conducted by the municipality in a previous year, provided that the municipality verifies the information is current and accurate. (c) A municipality shall provide the information collected under this section to any state agency that requests the information. Sec. 373C.052. DATABASE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INFORMATION. (a) A municipality shall publish the information collected under Section 373C.051 in a searchable database on a publicly accessible Internet website and mobile application. The municipality must ensure that the database enables a person to: (1) search for an affordable housing unit using the characteristics described by Section 373C.051(a); (2) update the database in real time if the person is authorized by the municipality to do so; and (3) view the complete survey information collected under that subsection. (b) A municipality shall update the municipality's database described by Subsection (a) at least annually. Sec. 373C.053. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The departm

  amended