FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Contact: Jose Borjon, (202) 225-7742 or (202) 579-2403

ORTIZ ANNOUNCES $5.2 MILLION IN HUD FUNDING AWARDED TO SOUTH TEXAS

WASHINGTON--Today, U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas) announced more than $5.2 million in federal funds for two cities in the Rio Grande Valley from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“These federal funds will provide new homes to people who currently cannot afford a home, or need help getting back on their feet,” Ortiz said. “At the same time, these grants will allow families to finance and build affordable homes, and along the way create jobs and economic opportunities in Cameron County.”

Brownsville will receive:

--Community Development Block Grant, $3,282,792

--HOME, $1,301,823

--Emergency Shelter Grant, $144,493

San Benito will receive:

--Community Development Block Grant, $504,064

Information on HUD Grants:

Community Development Block Grant: provides annual grants to states and local entities to develop viable urban communities by providing housing and living environments, and by offering economic opportunities to low- and middle-income persons.

HOME: provides help to expand decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to state and local entities to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.

Emergency Shelter Grant: provides annual grants to state, local, and private entities to improve quality and emergency homeless shelters.

For more information on these grants, go to www.hud.gov.

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