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Contact: Ricardo Bernal (202) 225-2365

Pearce Announces More Than $1.1 Million in Federal Housing Grants for Southern New Mexico


Las Cruces, Oct 13, 2004 - Today Congressman Steve Pearce announced two federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $1,175,512 for Southern New Mexico.

“Homeownership is a key part of achieving the American Dream. This federal funding will provide low-income families with a way to find a place to raise their families,” Pearce said.

The first grant was a $600,000 Hispanic Serving Institutions Assisting Communities grant to the Regents of New Mexico State University. It will be used to allow the community Learning Center in the Mesquite District to continue providing education activities, job-training workshops and social services. This federal grant will permit for additional services under three basic components: a Micro-enterprise Program, a Work Readiness Program, and a Service Learning Component.

The American Dream Downpayment Initiative grant for $575,512 promotes homeownership opportunities by providing necessary resources for downpayment and closing cost assistance to low-income and minority households.

In addition, Congressman Pearce was a cosponsor and supporter of the American Dream Downpayment Act, a plan to provide $200 million to forty thousand, low-income, first time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. The legislation was signed into law by President Bush on December 16, 2003.

Pearce added, “These types of programs are a wise investment because when we invest in our families we create strong individuals, which create strong families that in turn create strong communities. Homeowners have a vested interest in their communities and will work to improve the quality of life in their communities.”

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