Section 2306.586 - Self-Help Center: Purpose and Services(a) The purpose of a self-help center is to assist individuals and families of low income and very low income to finance, refinance, construct, improve, or maintain a safe, suitable home and otherwise improve living conditions in the colonias' designated service area or in another area the department has determined is suitable.(b) A self-help center shall set a goal to improve the living conditions of residents in the colonias designated under Section 2306.583(b) within a two-year period after a contract is awarded under this subchapter.(c) A self-help center may serve individuals and families of low income and very low income by: (1) providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants to build a home;(2) teaching construction skills necessary to repair or build a home;(3) providing model home plans;(4) operating a program to rent or provide tools for home construction and improvement for the benefit of property owners in colonias who are building or repairing a residence or installing necessary residential infrastructure;(5) helping to obtain, construct, access, or improve the service and utility infrastructure designed to service residences in a colonia, including potable water, wastewater disposal, drainage, streets, and utilities;(6) surveying or platting residential property that an individual purchased without the benefit of a legal survey, plat, or record;(7) providing credit and debt counseling related to home purchase and finance;(8) applying for grants and loans to provide housing and other needed community improvements;(9) providing other services that the self-help center, with the approval of the department, determines are necessary to assist colonia residents in improving their living conditions, including help in:(A) obtaining suitable alternative housing outside of a colonia's area; and(B) performing the following authorized public service activities under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Section 5301 et seq.): (ii) establishing or expanding a small business;(iii) developing professional skills; or(iv) managing personal finances and achieving financial literacy;(10) providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants to enable an individual or a family to acquire fee simple title to property that originally was purchased under a contract for a deed, contract for sale, or other executory contract; and(11) providing monthly programs to educate individuals and families on their rights and responsibilities as property owners.(d) A self-help center may not provide grants, financing, or mortgage loan services to purchase, build, rehabilitate, or finance construction or improvements to a home or otherwise improve living conditions in a colonia if water service and suitable wastewater disposal are not available.(e) Through a self-help center, a colonia resident may apply for any direct loan or grant program operated by the department.Tex. Gov't. Code § 2306.586
Amended by Acts 2021, Texas Acts of the 87th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 653,Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2021.Amended By Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1367, Sec. 2.05, eff. 9/1/2001.Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 402, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1997Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1016, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1995.