A new state fund would pay for affordable apartments and for people leaving homelessness
What it does
HB 521 would create the housing Texas fund as a special fund in the state treasury, administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Money would come from money the legislature appropriates, money the board transfers from any available source, interest earned on the fund, gifts and grants, and any other source the legislature dedicates. Each year, 70 percent would go to grants for nonprofit developers of multifamily affordable housing for low-income families and individuals, 29 percent to nonprofits that have shown they can move people who recently experienced homelessness into stable housing, and 1 percent to one-time spending to prevent homelessness or speed the move into a stable home. The bill takes effect September 1, 2027.
What it means for your community
Your area could see new affordable rental apartments built and run by nonprofit developers, plus more nonprofit services helping people move into and stay in stable housing. The bill sets priority for the homelessness grants, starting with families who have a child under 18 or a dependent with a disability, children under 18 who are homeless and not with their family, and people recently released from prison or jail. The money would run through the state housing department, which would set the rules for how the fund can be used. How much reaches your community would depend on which nonprofit groups get grants.
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