San Antonio, TX— Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the City of San Antonio will receive a $3.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FY20 Urban Area Security Initiative to expand and improve homeland security preparedness. In addition, non-profits in the San Antonio area have received $424,380 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FY20 Nonprofit Security Grant.

 “San Antonio plays a key role in protecting our homeland from a wide range of threats,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The Urban Areas Security Initiative has a proven track record for providing first responders the support, training and tools needed to respond to terrorist attacks and other disasters. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I worked hard to secure funding that will increase response capabilities by providing crucial training, equipment, and certification for our first responders who work tirelessly every day to protect our way of life.”

Congressman Cuellar continued, “I would like to thank Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard for her assistance in including these funds. I would also like to recognize the San Antonio Delegation, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and City Council members for their leadership on this issue. This combined effort is a great investment for our first responders and a necessary step in increasing efficiency of our regional response capabilities.”

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $615,000,000 for the Urban Area Security Initiative and $90,000,000 for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), both under the Department of Homeland Security and administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).

Urban Security Grant Program

The City of San Antonio will receive a $3.5 million in federal funding under the Urban Area Security Initiative. In FY 2020, the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program provides $615,000,000 to address the unique planning, organization, equipment, training and exercise needs of high-risk urban areas, and assists them in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program

Six San Antonio nonprofit organizations received $424,380 in the FY2020 Nonprofit Security Grant under the Department of Homeland Security. This program provides $50 million dollars nationwide in funding to support physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack and located within one of the specific UASI-designated Urban Areas.