Hatha

Join
TACDC Store STORE  Contact TACDC CONTACT US  TACDC FAQ F.A.Q.


TACDC 2011 Policy Initiatives



Housing Trust Fund: Seek Continued Appropriations and a Source of Dedicated Funding

Improve the administration and implementation of the Housing Trust Fund.

  • -Improve allocation of funds toward new and effective program designs.

  • -Improve targeting of funds toward areas (locations) of greatest need.

  • -Improve efficiency and streamlining of the process for awardees.

  • -Improve training for both grantees and staff around utilization and processes.

  • -Improve the HTF rules process and eliminate the layering of unnecessary federal rules onto the HTF.

  • -Allow ongoing input from past and present awardees to provide feedback on improving the program systems from contract creation to reimbursement systems to monitoring

Analyze Potential funding sources and amounts for a dedicated stream of revenue for the Housing Trust Fund.

  • -Create a working group made up of elected officials, TDHCA staff and non-profit users to identify potential sources of revenue.


TDHCA Sunset

Improve TDHCA Program Administration and Implementation for all programs through positive and productive participation in the TDHCA Sunset process.

  • Create a working group made up of TACDC partners and members to craft meaningful and productive solutions to problems and issues facing the department in order to ensure:

  • - Continued utilization of new and improved efficiencies (i.e. on-line contract system, Bootstrap registration system and desk monitoring).

  • -More efficient and time-sensitive approval and closing systems (i.e. better acknowledgement of approved projects prior to start of construction).

  • -More efficient utilization of legal staff in the creation and distribution of legal documents (i.e. on-line document prep. programs).

  • -Better utilization of end program users in the continuous need to update and improve systems.

  • -More efficient and timely distribution of contracts.

  • Approve and endorse the following recommendations for changes to TDHCA through the Sunset process:

  • - Amend the RAF in 2306 to clarify that HTF programs with less than $3 million are exempt from the Regional Allocation Formula.

  • -Broadcast all meeting proceedings via webcast and make the archived webcasts immediately available to the public.

  • -Separate the appeals process from the scheduled board meetings.

  • -Create a program category for Texans earning between 0 and 110 percent of SSI.

  • -Give the Manufactured Housing Division its own sunset clause and review.

  • -Making TDHCA comply w/ all current legal requirements regarding board composition, which includes filling the 7th board seat for a PHA resident.

  • -The Department should consider lease-purchase transactions to be sales at the time of the contract execution.


Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemptions and Appraisals

Protect and Improve the Affordable Housing property tax exemption for both single and multifamily project.

  • -Clarify and improve the appraisal method for multifamily rental properties targeting properties serving lower income families for a higher tax exemption including SRO's, transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and housing for special needs clients. Tax exemptions and appraisals for more affordable housing should reduce the cost of housing for low-income residents, not simply lower the overhead of the property owner.

  • -Maintain exemption for single family developments at 100 percent.

  • -TACDC supports tax incentives which encourage energy efficiency for low-income housing.



State Program Administration

Encourage efficiency and streamlining of community development programs (TDHCA, TDRA, economic development and tourism).

  • -Monitor agencies to ensure funds are distributed efficiently and equitably with particular attention to the HOME and HTF programs

  • -Increase administration funds percentage for housing programs

  • -Monitor state needs assessment and encourage greater participation in needs survey.

  • -Protect 0-30 percent AMFI for all housing programs.

  • -Work with other stakeholders to monitor housing programs for compliance with ADA and fair housing laws and to promote universal design policies for accessibility.

  • -Develop policies to ensure non-profit set aside in housing tax credit program is used by true non-profit organizations.

  • -Encourage additional green building and energy efficiency in all housing programs.

  • -Modify programs to use the greater of statewide AMFI or local AMFI in determining income targeting levels.

  • -Promote fair resource allocation and best practices in provision of rural affordable housing through TDHCA's HOME And LIHTC programs.



Homeownership and Asset Sustainability

Promote homeownership policies and programs that provide opportunities for lowincome families to build assets and that reduce the asset gap in Texas

  • -Work with CDCs and state officials to create policies to encourage homestead preservation across the state

  • -Promote a statewide individual development account matching fun

  • -Promote IDA and EITC work amoung CDC

  • -Promote low income housing tax credit program as a means to eventual homeownership .



CDFIs

Increase funding for community development financial institutions

  • -Fund the Capital Access Program and make the program independent from the Economic Development Bank

  • -Promote new markets tax credits as funding for CDFIs and commercial development

  • -Create a state CDFI fund with an initial allocation of Fund with an initial $15 million for the biennial period following the Legislative Session



Predatory Lending and Financial Literacy

Protect against predatory lending and promote financial literacy

  • -Support alternative mortgage/lending programs to reduce occurrences of predatory lending in low-income areas

  • -Train advocates and CDC to educate low-income borrowers to the dangers of predatory lending

  • -Develop policies and programs to encourage access to financial education for lower income borrowers

  • -Expand anti-predatory lending reform to include non-mortgage lending products such as payday lenders & home refinance products that are predatory



Capacity Building

Increase Resources for CDC Capacity Building

  • -Educate CDCs on accessing new market tax credits/commercial/mixed developments

  • -Reinstate predevelopment loan fund as part of Housing Trust Fund

  • -Encourage practices within TDHCA to effectively utilize HOME CHDO set aside



Supportive Housing

Develop resources and policies to promote permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals

  • -Establish scoring preferences in the low income housing tax credit program for single room occupancy developments

  • -Alter real estate analysis statue and rules to better accommodate developments targeted to the homeless

  • -Promote new resources for use by homeless service providers and SrO developers



Foreclosure Prevention

Create policies and programs to protect low income borrowers from foreclosure and loss of assets

  • -Work with Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force to create policies to lessen the impact of foreclosure in Texas

  • -Ensure Texans have access to federal foreclosure prevention resources

  • - Promote best practices among CDCs efforts to protect neighborhoods from loss of property value related to increases in foreclosed and abandoned properties



Land Use for Community Development

Promote appropriate land use tools to provide affordable housing the development of nonproductive land

  • -Protect land bank statutes for policies beneficial to CDCs

  • -Promote the right of first refusal for non-profits in these programs

  • -Develop policies to ensure land banks are used for low-income families

  • -Promote best practices in transfer of tax delinquent land to private use

  • -Promote land banking in unincorporated parts of counties if appropriate and consider using rural land bank land for job creation efforts

  • -Protect low income families from eminent domain by developing alternatives cities can use to redevelop blighted property

  • -Repeal Ban on inclusionary zoning



Promote Environmentally Sustainable Design in Affordable Housing

Develop policies to encourage affordable housing providers to adopt environmentally sustainable designs and green building technologies in housing production

  • -Promote statewide energy standards across programs that do not increase administrative costs

  • -Develop statewide affordable housing policies that reflect a commitment to both energy efficient design and "green" construction materials

  • -Create forums for CDCs to share information and resources on green designed projects

  • -Expand and create policies and new financial tolls to encourage the CDC field to become more environmentally sustainable



`
Rural Housing

Encourage the development of affordable housing in rural areas

  • -Modify programs to use the greater statewide AMFI or local AMFI in determining income targeting levels

  • -Promote capacity building and CDC start ups in rural areas

  • -Promote fair resource allocation and best practices in provision of rural affordable housing through TDHCA's HOME And LIHTC Programs

  • -Promote awareness of rural housing programs that promote homeownership



Support Broader Community Development Efforts

Monitor and promote community development goals on related topics

  • -Monitor education finance for impacts on housing

  • -Follow homeowners insurance debates and impact on low-income families

  • -Oppose homeowners insurance rates tied to credit scoring

  • -Support colonia development initiatives

  • -Promote policies that encourage mixed-use developments