Today Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (D-San Antonio), Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (D-Laredo) and Congressman Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio) announced the awarding of eight federal grants totaling more than $25.5 million to fund five separate programs in Bexar County and San Antonio.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $9,514.00 to Bexar County and $112,715.00 to San Antonio for the American Dream Down-Payment Initiative (ADDI); $1,782,661.00 to Bexar County and $14,830,969.00 to San Antonio for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); $613,992.00 to Bexar County and $6,557,639.00 to San Antonio for the HOME program; $640,253.00 to San Antonio for the Emergency Shelter Grants program; and $972,000.00 to San Antonio for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.

The total of all grants is $25,519,743.00 million to fund services in Bexar County and San Antonio.

The American Dream Down-Payment Initiative (ADDI) promotes homeownership opportunities by providing necessary resources for down-payment and closing cost assistance to low-income and minority households. ADDI helps low-income, first-time homebuyers with the biggest hurdle to homeownership: down-payment and closing costs.

The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) provide funds to local governments to ensure that residents have decent affordable housing and to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities.

The HOME program helps to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing to low—and very low—income families by providing grants to local governments to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.

The Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program provides annual grants to state, local and private entities to improve the quality and number of emergency homeless shelters.

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program provides housing assistance and related supportive services to local government, states and non-profit organizations for projects that benefits low-income persons medically diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Congressman Cuellar says this unprecedented award will go a long way in providing families with a roof over their heads. 

“Owning a home is the American Dream and a goal most people work hard to achieve,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These funds will give families the opportunity to live in a safe and healthy environment.”

“These federal resources will help many Bexar County families achieve their dreams of both living in a healthy household and eventually owning their own home,” said Congressman Charlie Gonzalez.  “The grant’s commendable approach towards achieving these goals will provide a significant boost to the local housing market and help create homeownership opportunities for families who most need the assistance.”

“As San Antonio’s representative on the House Committee on Appropriations, I know first hand how important these Federal funds are to keeping our community thriving.” said Congressman Rodriguez.  “We will continue to work closely with leaders on both sides of the aisle as a bipartisan delegation to provide needed resources for housing our San Antonio community.”

“Our community will benefit from these programs that open the door to affordable homeownership,” said Congressman Smith. “This funding demonstrates a commitment by the federal government to provide and support programs that improve the way of life for our residents.”

For more information on grants, please contact the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at (202) 225-1640; the Office of Congressman Charlie Gonzalez at (202) 226-7524; the Office of Congressman Ciro Rodriguez at 202-225-4511; or the Office of Congressman Lamar Smith at (202) 225-4236.

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