The bill amends the Local Government Code to enhance the collection and publication of affordable housing information by municipalities and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. It allows municipalities with a population of 1.3 million or less to allocate up to one percent of their general fund budget for promoting affordable housing awareness, while general-law municipalities can allocate up to five cents per $100 assessed valuation for the same purpose. The bill introduces a new Chapter 373C, which mandates municipalities to conduct an annual survey of affordable housing units, collecting detailed information such as unit type, rent, eligibility requirements, and proximity to essential services.

Additionally, the bill requires municipalities to publish the collected data in a searchable database on a publicly accessible website and mobile application, ensuring that the information is updated at least annually. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is tasked with adopting rules for the implementation of this chapter, publishing reports on affordable housing availability, and may collaborate with other entities to fulfill its responsibilities. 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)