Sec. 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.):
(i)  securing employment;
(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.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1016, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 402, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1367, Sec. 2.05, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by: 
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 653 (H.B. 1301), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.