TX Govt Code § 2306.586 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 10 - General Government|Subtitle G - Economic Development Programs Involving Both State and Local Governments|Chapter 2306 - Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs|Subchapter Z. Colonias|Section 2306.586. Self-Help Center: Purpose and Services

Sec. 2306.586.  SELF-HELP CENTER:  PURPOSE AND SERVICES.  (a)  The purpose of a self-help center is to assist individuals and families of low income and very low income to finance, refinance, construct, improve, or maintain a safe, suitable home and otherwise improve living conditions in the colonias' designated service area or in another area the department has determined is suitable.(b)  A self-help center shall set a goal to improve the living conditions of residents in the colonias designated under Section 2306.583(b) within a two-year period after a contract is awarded under this subchapter.(c)  A self-help center may serve individuals and families of low income and very low income by:(1)  providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants to build a home;(2)  teaching construction skills necessary to repair or build a home;(3)  providing model home plans;(4)  operating a program to rent or provide tools for home construction and improvement for the benefit of property owners in colonias who are building or repairing a residence or installing necessary residential infrastructure;(5)  helping to obtain, construct, access, or improve the service and utility infrastructure designed to service residences in a colonia, including potable water, wastewater disposal, drainage, streets, and utilities;(6)  surveying or platting residential property that an individual purchased without the benefit of a legal survey, plat, or record;(7)  providing credit and debt counseling related to home purchase and finance;(8)  applying for grants and loans to provide housing and other needed community improvements;(9)  providing other services that the self-help center, with the approval of the department, determines are necessary to assist colonia residents in improving their living conditions, including help in:(A)  obtaining suitable alternative housing outside of a colonia's area; and(B)  performing the following authorized public service activities under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Section 5301 et seq.):(i)  securing employment;(ii)  establishing or expanding a small business;(iii)  developing professional skills; or(iv)  managing personal finances and achieving financial literacy;(10)  providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants to enable an individual or a family to acquire fee simple title to property that originally was purchased under a contract for a deed, contract for sale, or other executory contract; and(11)  providing monthly programs to educate individuals and families on their rights and responsibilities as property owners.(d)  A self-help center may not provide grants, financing, or mortgage loan services to purchase, build, rehabilitate, or finance construction or improvements to a home or otherwise improve living conditions in a colonia if water service and suitable wastewater disposal are not available.(e)  Through a self-help center, a colonia resident may apply for any direct loan or grant program operated by the department.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1016, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 402, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1367, Sec. 2.05, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 653 (H.B. 1301), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.|