FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT:
September 4, 2014 Brenda Lopez 956.544.8352
PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Vela Announces $1.6M Grant for Brownsville HOME Program
Funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) announced the City of Brownsville, Texas is receiving $1,607,778 in Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The city aims to make decent housing more available, affordable, and sustainable for low-and-moderate income residents. HUD HOME funding truly changes the lives of our hard-working citizens most in need. HOME funding allow the city to assist hundreds of citizens annually,” said Stephanie Reyes of the Office of Grant Management and Community Development.
The City of Brownsville’s HOME program in partnership with local non-profit groups, such as the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville (CDCB), works to build affordable green housing for low-income families and to provide rental assistance and rehabilitation of home loans. Part of the grant funds for building green homes goes to support the CDCB Youth Build Program, offering at-risk youth the opportunity to learn trade skills paired with an education that can lead to economic independence.
“The Brownsville HOME program is an invaluable part of building a better future for the 34th District of Texas. It brings together federal and state agencies in partnership with local community organizations to construct affordable homes that are environmentally friendly,” said U.S. Representative Filemon Vela. “The HOME program has accomplished its mission through the effort of community organizations that strive to provide at-risk youth the tools to succeed. This access to homes for low-income families offers the resources necessary to start a business, send children to college, and bring families into the middle class.”
HOME funds are awarded annually as formula grants to participating jurisdictions. The program’s flexibility allows state and local governments to use HOME funds for grants, direct loans, rental assistance or security deposits, loan guarantees, or credit enhancements.
The eligibility of households for HOME assistance varies with the nature of the funded activity. For rental housing and rental assistance, at least 90 percent of benefiting families must have incomes that are no more than 60 percent of the HUD-adjusted median family income for the area. In rental projects with five or more assisted units, families with incomes that do not exceed 50 percent of the HUD-adjusted median must occupy 20 percent of the units. The incomes of households receiving HUD assistance must not exceed 80 percent of the area median. HUD publishes HOME income limits each year.
Constituents seeking housing assistance may contact the following:
Homebuyer Assistance Program – Provides down payment and closing costs assistance (max. $25,000) to eligible homebuyers.
Community Development Corporation of Brownsville (CDCB)
956-541-4955
901 East Levee Street, Brownsville, TX 78520
Tenant-Based-Rental-Assistance Program – Provides temporary rental assistance (max. 2 years) to families currently on the Section 8 Voucher waiting list.
Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville.
3401 Malaga Court, Brownsville, TX 78520
956-504-0490
New Construction Program
Brownsville Affordable Homeownership Corporation
896 Ridgewood St, Brownsville, TX 78520
956-621-2813
Architecture for Charity of Texas, Inc.
956-504-0490
3401 Malaga Court, Brownsville, TX 78526
Community Development Corporation of Brownsville (CDCB)
901 East Levee Street, Brownsville, TX 78520
956-541-4955
For more information on U.S. Rep. Vela, visit vela.house.gov. Learn more about U.S. Rep. Vela by liking his Facebook page or by following him on Twitter.
U.S. Representative Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, represents the 34th District of Texas, which is anchored in Cameron County and runs nearly 300 miles north to Gonzales County. Vela is on the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on Homeland Security, and is the Co-Chair of the Border Caucus.
