CREATION OF A COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY.

(a) A housing authority is created in each county in the state.

(b) A county housing authority is a public body corporate and politic.

(c) A county housing authority may not transact business or exercise its powers until the commissioners court of the county declares by resolution that there is a need for the authority.

(d) The commissioners court of a county may determine on its own motion if there is a need for an authority.

(e) The commissioners court of a county shall determine if there is a need for an authority on the filing of a petition signed by at least 100 qualified voters of the county.

(f) The commissioners court of a county shall adopt a resolution declaring that there is a need for a housing authority if it finds that there is:

(1) unsanitary or unsafe inhabited housing in the county; or

(2) a shortage of safe or sanitary housing in the county available to persons of low income at rentals that they can afford.

(g) In determining whether housing is unsafe or unsanitary, the commissioners court may consider the degree of overcrowding, the percentage of land coverage, the availability to inhabitants of light, air, space, and access, the size and arrangement of rooms, the sanitary facilities, and the extent to which conditions in the housing subject life or property to the danger of fire or other hazard.

(h) In a proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of, or relating to, a contract of the authority, proof of the adoption of a resolution by the commissioners court that declares that there is a need for the authority and makes the finding that either or both of the requirements of Subsection (f) exist is conclusive evidence of the establishment of the authority and of its authority to transact business and exercise its powers under this chapter. A copy of the resolution that is certified by the county clerk is admissible in evidence in the proceeding.