Hidalgo County will receive more than $10 million combined for low-income housing programs and community development from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The announcement came via a news release issued Aug. 24 by the office of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.
The funds, according to the release, were awarded to Hidalgo County from HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development.
The money will go toward the Emergency Shelter Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Grant and Community Development Block Grant — or CDBG — programs.
“Seizing the opportunity to utilize federal funding to help address local problems will contribute to the economic growth and development of our communities,” Cuellar stated in the release. “It is important that the residents of Hidalgo County benefit from all that the federal government can provide. That is why I fought to secure these essential funds in the Appropriations Committee, so that low-income families receive resources o obtain decent housing and economic opportunities.”
Though the funds are awarded to the county, it is up to the cities that participate in the program to decide for which projects those funds are used.
The 17 participating cities include Alamo, Alton, Edcouch, Elsa, Granjeno, Hidalgo, La Joya, La Villa, Mercedes, Palmhurst, Palmview, Peñitas, Progreso, Progreso Lakes, San Juan, Sullivan City, Weslaco and the four county precincts.
