Texas Veterans Commission Awards Nearly $3 Million in ‘Housing4TexasHeroes’ Grants
December 30, 2011
By Duncan McGhee, Texas Veterans Commission, Austin
On Nov. 16, 2011, Texas Veterans Commission awarded eight organizations nearly $3 million in grants from “Housing4TexasHeroes,” a Texas Veterans Commission program announced by Gov. Rick Perry in August, which provides grants to organizations that provide temporary and permanent housing to Texas Veterans and their families.
The efforts of Gov. Perry and legislative leaders during the 82nd Legislative Session helped create the Housing4TexasHeroes program.
Organizations categorized as temporary housing assist low income or homeless Veterans, or the dependents of Veterans who are undergoing long term treatment at a medical facility in Texas.
Organizations awarded temporary housing grants:
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston & Houston - $600,000
- Harris and Galveston Counties Community Action Corporation of South Texas - $160,500
- San Patricio County Families in Crisis, Inc. - $400,000 Bell, Coryell and Hamilton Counties
- MHMR Tarrant County - $400,000
Organizations in the permanent housing category provide new home construction services or housing modification for Veterans requiring such modifications due to a physical disability or injury.
Organizations awarded permanent housing grants:
- Alamo Area Development Corporation - $400,000
- Green Doors - $500,000
- Travis County Meals on Wheels and More - $300,000
- Houston Habitat for Humanity- $200,000
“Housing4TexasHeroes is another example of the commitment that Gov. Perry and the Texas Legislature have made to our Texas Veterans and their families,” says Thomas Palladino, Texas Veterans Commission Executive Director. “With 44 organizations requesting more than $18 million, it is clear that there is a significant need for these services within the Veterans community.”
Also on Nov. 16, the Texas Veterans Commission awarded over $4.1 million in grants from the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance to 16 organizations that will provide a broad range of assistance to Veterans and their families including counseling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, financial assistance, legal assistance, employment assistance transportation and referral services.
The following is a list of the organizations receiving grants:
- American Red Cross of Central Texas ($96,350) Referral (Women Veterans)
- Burnet County ($100,230) Transportation
- City of Cuero ($20,544) Counseling
- Community Learning Center, Inc. ($300,000) Employment
- Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas ($210,000) Legal
- Lone Star Legal Aid ($210,000) Legal
- Northwest Assistance Ministries ($309,757) Financial Assistance
- Nueces County ($150,000)Financial Assistance
- Operation Homefront of Texas ($508,795) Financial Assistance
- Samaritan Center ($500,000) Counseling
- Santa Maria Hostel, Inc. ($322,301) Housing (Women Veterans)
- Texas Center Point Veteran Services ($425,000) Counseling
- Texas VFW Foundation ($500,000) Financial Assistance
- United Way of Southern Cameron County ($100,000) Employment
- United Way of Tarrant County ($250,000) Financial Assistance
- Worklife Ministry, Inc. ($100,000) Employment
Grants from the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance are funded through Veterans Cash, the Texas lottery scratch-off game, online donations through Texas.gov, donations when registering a vehicle, the State Employee Charitable Campaign, and direct contributions.
For more information about the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance visit http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/help.