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.