Hardships.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 10-546
in effectSec. 10-546. - Hardships.
(a) In addition to the relief authorized in section 10-545 of this Code, if the owner demonstrates that none of the family members residing in a homestead that is the subject of a visual blight notice is able to apply the paint because of age, physical disabilities, dependent care obligations or other limitations beyond their reasonable control, then the neighborhood protection official shall cause the visual blight to be abated without cost to the owner, and no lien shall be placed on the homestead property. The operation of this subsection is limited to any single family residential property that is occupied as a homestead by a 'very low income family' as defined in 24 Code of Federal Regulations Section 813.102 as computed for the city for purposes of Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
(b) Without regard to the eligibility standards described in subsection (a) above, if an owner demonstrates that (i) the property for which the owner has been given notice of visual blight hereunder has been the subject of at least two prior visual blight incidents (evidenced by either notices provided pursuant to this article or bona fide police reports) during the preceding 180 days, and (ii) the owner complied with the requirements of this article by abating the prior visual blight within ten business days of the date of the applicable notice or police report, then the neighborhood protection official shall cause the visual blight to be abated without cost to the owner, and no lien shall be placed on the property.
(c) Each notice given under section 10-542 of this Code shall advise of the availability of the relief under this section. Applications for relief under this section shall be submitted to the neighborhood protection official in such form and with such proofs of ownership, income, disabilities, repeat occurrences and related factors as may be required to determine whether the applicant is entitled to assistance within ten days following the date the city mails or delivers the notices under section 10-542 of this Code. If the neighborhood protection official is unable to concur that the applicant is entitled to assistance, then the issue shall be scheduled for a hearing under section 10-543 of this Code, and the hearing official shall make the determination.
(Ord. No. 94-1163, § 2, 11-2-94; Ord. No. 06-1055, § 1, 10-18-06)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH10BUNEPR_ARTXIVABUNVIBL_S10-546HAFetched: 10/26/2026