Congressman Henry Cuellar announced today that the La Gloria Development Corporation has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The awarded funds, which came from HUD’s Rural Housing and Economic Development Program (RHED), will allow the corporation to purchase 10 lots and subsequently give low-income residents the opportunity of building their home.

Once the 10 lots have been purchased with the federal funds and the families have been identified, La Gloria Development Corporation will seek monetary assistance from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ (TDHCA) Bootstrap Program for the construction of the homes.

“I congratulate La Gloria Development Corporation for working closely with the federal and state government,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Ten families are now closer to reaching the American dream, which for most of us, is owning our own home. These families are being provided with an opportunity to build their assets through home ownership.”

The Texas Bootstrap Loan Program is a self-help construction initiative, which is designed to provide low-income families an opportunity to help themselves through the form of sweat equity. Participants under this program are required to provide at least 60 percent of labor that is necessary to construct their home. Families may borrow up to $30,000 from TDHCA to build their home, and the interest-free loan will be paid over 30 years.

“I have always been a firm believer that before someone else helps you, you must first help yourself, and this is exactly what this program does,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The federal government is here to give a lending hand to those who want to improve their lives.”

La Gloria Development Corporation is a non-profit organization in El Cenizo that has been operating since 1992. Since its inception, the corporation has assisted 27 families build their homes through its self-help housing program.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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