Sec. 2306.001. PURPOSES. The purposes of the department are to:

(1) assist local governments in:

(A) providing essential public services for their residents; and

(B) overcoming financial, social, and environmental problems;

(2) provide for the housing needs of individuals and families of low, very low, and extremely low income and families of moderate income;

(3) contribute to the preservation, development, and redevelopment of neighborhoods and communities, including cooperation in the preservation of government-assisted housing occupied by individuals and families of very low and extremely low income;

(4) assist the governor and the legislature in coordinating federal and state programs affecting local government;

(5) inform state officials and the public of the needs of local government;

(6) serve as the lead agency for:

(A) addressing at the state level the problem of homelessness in this state;

(B) coordinating interagency efforts to address homelessness; and

(C) addressing at the state level and coordinating interagency efforts to address any problem associated with homelessness, including hunger; and

(7) serve as a source of information to the public regarding all affordable housing resources and community support services in the state.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 980, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1367, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 330, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.