The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has introduced new resources aimed at simplifying the multifamily compliance process for properties it monitors. The tools are intended to help property owners and managers adhere to affirmative marketing and tenant selection criteria rules, while reducing administrative workload.
Among the resources is an updated Multifamily Affirmative Marketing Tool, which now features a mapping function that identifies populations least likely to apply for housing. This update allows users to search by city, zip code, or street address and includes instructions on completing HUD 935.2A forms. The tool can be accessed at https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/MF-Affirmative-Marketing-Tool.
Another resource is the Simplified Affirmative Marketing Plan Form. This form is designed for TDHCA program participants who do not need to use the standard HUD 935.2A form. It complies with TDHCA’s affirmative marketing rules and condenses requirements into less than two pages, compared to the lengthier federal form. The form is available at https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/sites/default/files/fair-housing/docs/MF-AF….
TDHCA has also released an Affirmative Marketing Checklist for staff preparing these plans. The checklist uses yes/no questions to highlight areas of potential non-compliance and common errors in marketing plans. It can be found under “TDHCA Fair Housing Forms and Tools” at https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/fair-housing-toolkits-sample-forms-and-down….
Additionally, there is a Written Policies and Procedures/Tenant Selection Criteria Checklist for those developing or revising tenant selection policies or written procedures. This tool also uses yes/no questions to identify compliance issues with TDHCA regulations and is available on the same web page as other fair housing resources: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/fair-housing-toolkits-sample-forms-and-down….
“These updates are designed to help property owners and managers remain compliant with TDHCA’s affirmative marketing and written policies and procedures rules, and significantly lower administrative burden without sacrificing protections for tenants and applicants at TDHCA-monitored properties,” according to the department.
Questions regarding these tools can be directed via email at fair.housing@tdhca.texas.gov or by phone at (512) 475-0306.
