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2 Document(s) [ Subject: Bootstrap Self-Help Housing Program ]

Committee: Senate International Relations and Trade
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 82nd Legislature
Subjects: Affordable housing | Bootstrap Self-Help Housing Program | Border crossings | Border economy | Colonias | Contracts for deed | Economic development | International trade | Job training programs | Land use regulations | North American Free Trade Agreement | Sewer service | Subprime lending | Substandard housing | Tourism |
Library Call Number: L1836.81 IN9
Session: 81st R.S. (2009)
Online version: View report [85 pages  File size: 6,581 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the effectiveness of the Coordination of Colonia Initiatives and related measures addressed by the Committee and develop recommendations to better address substandard communities across the state where no potable water or sewage services are provided. Review state and local laws and policies relating to development and growth in unincorporated regions of the state and develop recommendations aimed at providing local units of government the necessary local control tools to curtail the spread of colonia-like developments in their jurisdictions.
2. Examine effectiveness of state homeownership programs serving colonia residents. Study the need for contract for deed conversions in the colonias within 150 miles of the Texas/Mexico border. Examine existing statute regarding statewide distribution of the Texas Bootstrap Loan Program and recommend changes to increase the state's ability to expedite allocation of funds. Develop recommendations to address abusive lending practices in distressed areas and fair housing violations in the colonias.
3. Study and make recommendations for state actions to increase efficiencies and reduce wait times in crossing the Texas-Mexico border, while ensuring proper security. Review initiatives to maximize bridge-crossing revenue.
4. Assess Texas' trade-related programs and work with the appropriate state and federal agencies to develop initiatives that will increase NAFTA-related commerce in Texas. Make recommendations to encourage communities currently unable to participate in international trade, due to their lack of resources and capacity, to engage in such trade.
5. Review the state's efforts aimed at helping distressed areas, coastal regions and rural communities to compete in the international marketplace. Work with the appropriate state and federal agencies to develop recommendations to create initiatives that will build regional development and capacity with the goal of better facilitating trade and commerce, as well as tourism, in these communities.
6. Review the state's efforts and policies aimed at addressing the workforce training needs of trade-displaced citizens. Report on the effectiveness of these programs and develop recommendations to better assist hard to reach populations in distressed areas, including Spanish-predominant speaking displaced citizens along the Texas-Mexico border region.
7. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
  • Review the housing initiatives addressed by the Committee and work with the appropriate housing officials to develop recommendations to better address the housing needs of smaller and distressed communities in Texas. Develop recommendations for the cost-effective use of existing housing monies, leveraging of funds and initiatives for new funding sources.
Committee: Senate Intergovernmental Relations
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 81st Texas Legislature
Subjects: Affordable housing | Bootstrap Self-Help Housing Program | Contracts for deed | Emergency services districts | Homeownership | Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Department of | Municipal utility districts | Special taxing districts | State government debt | Substandard housing | Suburban areas | Title insurance | University of Texas System | Urban areas | Urban sprawl |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 L786
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [394 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study and make recommendations on Texas’ housing programs, with particular focus upon:
    Increasing the effectiveness of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' (TDHCA) Housing Tax Credit (HTC) Program. Examine potential rule changes to the HTC Program's Qualified Allocation Plan to give owners of mixed-income projects seeking low-income housing credits the same opportunity to receive credits that low-income projects have, thus helping cities address the problem of a lack of adequate quality affordable housing while enhancing central city revitalization;
  • Significantly improving homeownership rates by evaluating Texas’ efforts to address the growing housing need. Efforts should include assessment of the range of tools which may be used to help low-income Texans develop equity through homeownership. Tools should be evaluated in terms of their economic development impact, leverage of federal and private funds, and how they are utilized in other states;
  • Evaluating the progress of affordable housing programs within the state and developing recommendations to boost the capacity of non-profits to build increased affordable housing developments;
  • Monitor the expansion of the Housing Trust Fund by the 80th Legislature; review the funds of other states to develop recommendations for a permanent funding source for the Texas Housing Trust Fund;
  • Promote home-ownership through self-help initiatives such as the Texas Bootstrap Loan Program;
  • Assessing the existing use of state and federal housing funds in relation to statutory and budgetary mandates; and
  • Examining the incidence of health and safety violations and concerns for general habitability among multi-family and single-family rental properties across the state, including properties financed or supported by the state. Consider the adequacy of the existing authority conferred by the state upon local governments to address violations of habitability standards. Make recommendations for extension of local capacity for redress.
2. Review title insurance requirements relating to the purchase of a home under an installment contract or contract for a deed. Study title insurance requirements and costs in Texas as compared to other states.
3. Study the provision of fire and emergency medical services through Emergency Service Districts (ESDs) and make recommendations concerning the provision of those services, and for reconciling potential conflicts due to overlapping taxing jurisdictions in the areas of the state served by ESDs.
4. Review the process for the creation of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and other special districts, and investigate whether the creation of a standard municipal utility district statute is feasible, and whether it would enable the legislature to more efficiently evaluate proposed districts during the legislative session.
5. Study the shifting geographic nature of low-income neighborhoods in urban and suburban areas, focusing on factors that contribute to economic displacement of low income homeowners and factors that contribute to beneficial redevelopment of distressed neighborhoods.
6. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, report on changes made by SB 968, 80th R.S., relating to financing tools for certain obligations for public improvements and for certain obligations of The University of Texas System and evaluate the need for further changes to Chapter 1371 Texas Government Code.

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