1. (a) A Colonia Self-Help Center may serve individuals and families of low-income and very low-income by:

   1. (1) providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants to build, rehabilitate, repair or reconstruct a home;
   2. (2) teaching construction skills necessary to repair or build a home;
   3. (3) providing model home plans;
   4. (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. (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. (6) surveying or platting residential property that an individual purchased without the benefit of a legal survey, plat, or record;
   7. (7) providing credit and debt counseling related to home purchase and finance;
   8. (8) applying for grants and loans to provide housing and other needed community improvements;
   9. (9) providing other services that the Colonia Self-Help Center, with the approval of the Department, determines are necessary to assist colonia residents in improving their physical living conditions, including help in obtaining suitable alternative housing outside of a colonia's area;
   10. (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;
   11. (11) providing access to computers, the internet and computer training pursuant to the General Appropriations Act; and
   12. (12) providing monthly programs to educate individuals and families on their rights and responsibilities as property owners.
2. (b) Through a Colonia Self-Help Center, a colonia resident may apply for any direct loan or grant program operated by the Department.
3. (c) Ineligible activities. Any type of activity not allowed by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. §§5301, et seq.) is ineligible for funding.
4. (d) A Colonia Self-Help Center may not provide grants, financing, or mortgage loan services to purchase, build, rehabilitate, or finance construction or improvements to a home in a colonia if water service and suitable wastewater disposal are not available.
5. (e) Chapter 20 of this title (relating to Single Family Programs Umbrella Rule) will apply to all Single Family activities, including Single Family development involving rental or ownership.

Source Note:The provisions of this §25.3 adopted to be effective November 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 8500.