Texas Border Business
Funds for Community Development Block, Emergency Solutions Grants, and HOME Program
WASHINGTON–Today, Congressmen Henry Cuellar, Vincente Gonzalez, Filemon Vela announced that communities in Hidalgo County have received $12,273,740 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to aid the Community Development Block (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and HOME program. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Henry Cuellar played an integral role in saving these programs and ensuring that the funds were allocated to Hidalgo County.
The Community Development Block (CDBG) Grants program provides annual grants to States and local units of the government to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; improve the number, quality and operations of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; provide essential services to shelter residents, rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and prevent families/individuals from becoming homeless.
The HOME program helps to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to States and local governments to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.
Last March, President Trump released a budget plan that called for the elimination of the CDBG and HOME program. The proposed elimination of these programs would have been distressing to the nation’s most vulnerable residents. The loss in funding could have led to a significant increase of homelessness in Hidalgo County. In Congress, Congressmen Cuellar, Gonzalez, and Vela fought to retain these programs because of how essential they are to the Valley. This grant gives Hidalgo County the flexibility to invest these funds in projects to best address its own needs.
“The CDBG, ESG, and HOME program grants are essential pieces to fostering economic growth and development” said Congressman Cuellar. “It is important that the residents of Hidalgo County benefit from all that the federal government can provide. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I fought the President on the elimination of these programs and won. In Washington, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that these programs remain active and that our community is aware of all of the opportunities available that come with these programs.”
“These programs are some of the most effective tools our counties and cities have in their toolbox and I am proud to support them,”Congressman Gonzalez said, “With this funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hidalgo County will have the ability to address some of its most pressing housing, infrastructure, community development and economic challenges. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure that our region continues to receive these and other federal funds that allow them to invest in and improve our communities.”
“CDBG, ESG and the HOME program play an important role in improving housing quality for the people of South Texas,” said Congressman Vela. “I am grateful that HUD has provided this funding to further improve our communities.
Each year, HUD allocates funds at the local level. Separately, every community is then responsible for devising a plan to utilize the funds. The primary objectives for these funds include fostering the improvement of the quantity and/or quality of public facilities; refining the quality of neighborhoods across Hidalgo Country; and increasing the availability of affordable housing for those most in need.
