Henry Cuellar announced today that the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the awarding of five federal grants totaling $230,335 to fund separate programs in the City of Mission, the City of Pharr, and the County of Hidalgo. The Family Self-Sufficiency program and the Resident Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency program, respectively, aim to help families achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.

As one of the Housing Choice Voucher programs, the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program promotes the development of local strategies that enable families to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. HUD’s funding for the FSS program awarded $61,409 to The City of Mission, $59,010 to the City of Pharr, and $36,724 to the County of Hidalgo.

FSS, a HUD program, encourages communities to coordinate the use of assistance with public and private resources. Public Housing Agencies (PHA) work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive plan that gives FSS family members the skills and experience to progress.

The FSS program also offers services, including child care, transportation, education, job training and employment counseling, substance/alcohol abuse treatment or counseling, household skill training, homeownership counseling.

“Helping those less fortunate is the essence of a community, and this HUD grant exemplifies that goal,” said Cuellar. “With HUD’s funding, local agencies can work together to move families in the right direction.”

Resident Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (ROSS), another HUD program, promotes the delivery and coordination of supportive services that enable families attain economic self-sufficiency and elderly residents with disabilities to continue to live independently. HUD’s funding for the ROSS program awarded $35,000 to the City of Mission and $38,192 to the County of Hidalgo.

Funding for the HUD programs totals $230,335, which will empower residents throughout Hidalgo County in becoming economically self-sufficient.

“I am pleased to see that so many families will now be able to receive services that will benefit their families and encourage them to live financially-independent lives,” said Cuellar.

For more information on grants, please contact the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at (202) 225-1640.

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 and economic development are his priorities.

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