Employees of a housing authority generally cannot have dealings with housing projects for personal gain or hold interests in related property or contracts, with limited exceptions.
Sec. 392.043. INTERESTED EMPLOYEES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), (c), or (f), an employee of an authority may not have dealings with a housing project for pecuniary gain and may not own, acquire, or control a direct or indirect interest in a: (1) housing project; (2) property included or planned to be included in a housing project; (3) contract or proposed contract for the sale of land to be used for a housing project; (4) contract or proposed contract for the construction of a housing project; or (5) contract or proposed contract for the sale of materials or services to be furnished or used in connection with a housing project. (b) An employee may not have any dealings with a housing project for pecuniary gain except in the performance of duties as an employee of the housing authority. (c) Except as otherwise permitted by this chapter or another law, an employee of an authority may not be employed by or otherwise contract to provide services to another authority unless the first authority gives its written consent to the employment or contract. An employee of an authority who is employed by or who contracts to provide services to another authority under this subsection does not violate Subsection (a) or (b). (d) An employee who knowingly or intentionally violates Subsection (a) or (c) commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a felony of the third degree. (e) A person finally convicted under Subsection (d) is ineligible for future employment with the state, a political subdivision of the state, or a public corporation formed under the authority of the state or a political subdivision of the state. (f) An employee of an authority may be a party to or otherwise participate in a contract or agreement for assistance under a housing program, including a contract or agreement for public housing, Section 8 housing assistance, low-interest home loans, lease-purchase assistance, or down payment assistance, to the same extent as a member of the public if the employee qualifies for assistance under the program. (g) In this section, "Section 8 housing assistance" means housing assistance provided under Section 8, United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. Section 1437f). Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 64, Sec. 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1987; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 231, Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 1999. SUBCHAPTER D. POWERS AND DUTIES OF A HOUSING AUTHORITY