The bill, H.B. No. 385, aims to enhance the collection and publication of affordable housing information by municipalities and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. It amends the Local Government Code to allow municipalities with populations of 1.3 million or less to allocate up to one percent of their general fund budget for promoting affordable housing awareness, alongside advertising and development efforts. Similarly, general-law municipalities can appropriate up to five cents per $100 assessed valuation for the same purposes. The bill introduces Chapter 373C, which establishes requirements for municipalities to conduct annual surveys of affordable housing units, detailing various characteristics such as rent, eligibility requirements, and proximity to essential services.

Additionally, the bill mandates that municipalities publish the collected information in a searchable database accessible via the internet and mobile applications. This database must allow users to search for affordable housing units based on specific criteria and must be updated at least annually. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is tasked with adopting rules for implementing these provisions and publishing reports on the availability and accessibility of affordable housing in Texas. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 371.001, Local Government Code 371.021 (Local Government Code 371)