TITLE: Honoring Legacy Community Development Corporation for its contributions to Southeast Texas.

SUMMARY: Honoring Legacy Community Development Corporation for its contributions to Southeast Texas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Legacy Community Development Corporation of Port Arthur has made a positive difference in the lives of countless Southeast Texas residents; and WHEREAS, A nonprofit organization, Legacy CDC develops affordable housing and provides financial counseling to assist low-to moderate-income families; it partners with many other organizations to increase housing stability throughout Jefferson, Hardin, and Orange Counties by offering housing opportunities, education, supportive services, and referrals; and WHEREAS, Legacy CDC was originally established by a faith-based group as the Tender Loving Care Center for Children, an initiative dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of youth from low-income families; recognizing that its mission depended heavily on secure housing for clients, it expanded its endeavors as Legacy CDC in 2006; three years later, it was certified as a Community Housing Development Organization by the City of Orange and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; subsequently, it received CHDO certification from the Cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur as well; and WHEREAS, While working as a CHDO for the City of Orange, Legacy purchased and rehabilitated a single-family home that was then sold to a low-to moderate-income family; the organization went on to develop an 80-unit family complex in Vidor, which is now fully occupied; in Beaumont, it has acquired and renovated some 20 units and directed reconstruction of a number of others, and it manages 20 scattered site rental units; Legacy is overseeing a downtown revitalization program in Port Arthur, where it has built two single-family units and has 29 underway; moreover, it has acquired about 10 foreclosure units in recent years; and WHEREAS, Legacy sponsors a homeownership education program that encompasses credit counseling, financial education, and homebuyer certification; more than 1,000 families have completed the certification course; other initiatives include disaster recovery services, emergency rental assistance, and credit repair; it delivers services in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Filipino, as well as English; and WHEREAS, Stable housing is essential to the welfare and security of every individual, and by helping residents of Southeast Texas attain this goal, Legacy CDC is empowering families and strengthening their communities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby honor Legacy Community Development Corporation for its contributions to Southeast Texas and extend to all those associated with the organization sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Manuel Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1016 was adopted by the House on April 20, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House