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Bill

HB 1129

Relating to the eligibility of mental health professionals for the Homes for Texas Heroes home loan program.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Cecil Bell and 6 co-sponsors

Expands Texas's Homes for Texas Heroes loan program to include mental health professionals, offering them below-market mortgages to improve recruitment and retention in underserved areas.

Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs
#housing--general(i0405) #loans(s0117) #mentalhealth&substanceabuse(i0019)
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Bill Summary · HB 1129

Legislative bill overview

HB 1129 expands the Homes for Texas Heroes home loan program to include mental health professionals as eligible borrowers. The program currently provides below-market-rate mortgages to veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. This bill adds mental health professionals to the list of professions that qualify for these favorable lending terms.

Why is this important

Mental health professionals face recruitment and retention challenges across Texas, particularly in underserved rural areas. Making homeownership more affordable could help attract and retain qualified mental health workers in communities with critical shortages. This addresses the growing mental health crisis while using an existing successful program structure rather than creating new infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Program scope creep: Expanding eligibility beyond military/first responders raises questions about where to draw lines—why mental health professionals but not teachers, nurses, or other essential workers?
  • Cost and funding: Expanding the program increases costs to the state through foregone interest revenue; the bill's fiscal impact on Texas Veterans Land Board finances is unclear without details
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill may need clarification on which mental health credentials qualify (licensed counselors, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, peer specialists, etc.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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