Press Release
Rep. Cuellar Announces $149,762 in Federal Funding for Public Housing Resources and Recognizes Chairwoman Connie Garza for 50 years of Community ServicePublic housing funds will be used to help the Hidalgo County families gain valuable job skills and earned financial independence
Washington | Charlotte Laracy, DC Press Secretary (202-226-1583); Alexis Torres, District Press Secretary (956-286-6007),
January 31, 2020
Mission, TX – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $149,762 in federal funding for the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program in Hidalgo County and the City of Mission. The Housing Authority of the County of Hidalgo will receive $95,306 and the Mission Housing Authority of the City of Mission will receive $54,456. These funds will allow local Housing Authorities to employ FSS Coordinators, to help families get back on their feet and regain independence by connecting them with services, such as childcare, transportation, job training, employment and counseling. The Congressman also presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition to City of Mission Housing Authority Chairwoman Connie Garza, for 50 years of community service. “In order to break the cycle of poverty, we must give families the tools and services to do so,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This program will give people the ability to expand their education, obtain job training, and plan for their future in order to gain independence and financial security. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fund programs that help hard-working Americans build a better life for their family and their community.” “FSS is focused on helping people find jobs, putting them on a path to self-sufficiency - one of HUD’s core missions,” said Leslie Bradley, HUD Deputy Regional Administrator. “The funding announced today will help Hidalgo County and Mission Housing Authorities participants to increase their income potential and build wealth that can be used for a downpayment on a home, school tuition, and more.”
HUD awarded nearly $80 million to 700 Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) across the country, 35 of those in Texas. The Housing Authority of the County of Hidalgo will receive $95,306 and the Mission Housing Authority of the City of Mission will receive $54,456. Resulting in a combined total of $149,762 for the area. Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, FSS enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies by connecting participating families with existing services and programs in the community, such as social service agencies, community colleges, businesses and other local partners. Families in the program sign a 5-year contract, which establishes an interest-bearing escrow account by the PHA. As families regain financial independence, they pay larger shares of their monthly rent. At the same time, the PHA deposits a portion of these increased rent payments into families’ interest-bearing escrow accounts to boost their savings. Once the FSS program is successfully completed, the family may access their escrow account as they continue to make progress toward achieving financial independence. City of Mission Housing Authority Chairwoman Connie Garza For 50 years, Connie Garza has excelled as a career-woman in the Criminal Justice field and has made a noteworthy impact in her community in Mission, TX. She became the first female patrol officer with the Mission Police Department, rising to the rank of Lieutenant; she was the first female volunteer firefighter with the Mission Fire Department; she was also one of the first female supervisors at the Hidalgo County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, eventually serving as an Assistant Director for one of the residential centers. Connie continues to be a respected leader in her community and has a distinguished record of public service in city, civic, and church endeavors. Connie Garza is currently the City of Mission Housing Authority Chairwoman. Pictured is Rep. Cuellar with HUD Field Office Director Zulieka K. Morales-Romero, Mayor O’Cana, and members of Housing Authority of Hidalgo County and City of Mission Housing Authority ### |