Bill > HB4073

This bill requires the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive biennial audit of state agencies' homelessness services, with the first audit scheduled for 2028. The audit will examine all state resources used to support homeless individuals, including financial resources, employees, and infrastructure. The external auditor must assess the effectiveness and efficiency of agencies' programs by measuring specific outcomes, such as housing stability, employment, education, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and criminal justice involvement. The audit will evaluate multiple state agencies including the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Health and Human Services Commission, Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Education Agency, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Veterans Commission, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The audit will rate each agency, program, and community service provider as "unsatisfactory," "satisfactory," or "exemplary" and provide recommendations for eliminating poorly performing programs, consolidating duplicative services, and reallocating resources. The State Auditor must complete the audit within 90 days, submit a report to state leadership by November 1st of the audit year, and publish the full audit and report on their website. The audit will be funded using existing resources, with the bill taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4073