The bill, S.B. No. 337, proposes the establishment of the Texas Tenant Readiness and Landlord Incentive Pilot Program, which will be implemented by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. This program aims to provide assistance and incentives to landlords who support individuals and families facing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or at high risk of housing instability. The department will contract with local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations to administer the program, which includes a funding mechanism of up to $3,500 per household for qualified costs related to housing search assistance, security deposits, utility services, and other tenant-related expenses.

Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for local entities to apply for program administration, including the submission of a housing search assistance plan. It mandates the department to report on the program's outcomes by January 1, 2030, detailing demographic information, financial assistance usage, housing outcomes, and experiences of the administering entities. The bill also amends the definition of "residential development" in the Local Government Code by removing a reference to the new program. The provisions of this act will take effect on September 1, 2025, and the program is set to expire on September 1, 2030.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 394.003 (Local Government Code 394)