AUSTIN, TX – July 30, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Determined to bring swift relief to Childress residents impacted by last month’s tornado, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has awarded a grant to a regional nonprofit organization providing essential supplies to several hundred low income residents of the city, helping to restore the quality of life for both individual households and the community.
TDHCA has awarded Panhandle Community Services $30,000 in Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) discretionary funds, which the Amarillo-based community action agency will use to provide temporary shelter, food, clothing, blankets and bedding, medication, household cleaning supplies, items of personal hygiene, and a host of other important goods and services to income eligible storm victims.
“The residents of Childress took a cruel hit from nature last month, and many people are still in need of life’s basic necessities,” said TDHCA Executive Director Michael Gerber. “TDHCA, together with Panhandle Community Services, is reaching out to offer these individuals and families help in their moment of extreme need. We are glad to be able to provide these funds and help these people rebuild their lives and community.”
A tornado struck the city of Childress on June 15, causing an estimated $7 million to $8 million in damages. Approximately 1,700 homes had windows blown out and roofs torn from its structure; five manufactured homes and one site-built home were completely destroyed. While Panhandle Community Services will also assist with home reconstruction and rebuilding efforts, the organization expressed an immediate need for emergency supplies for those households most affected by the storm.
The award will help the organization obtain and distribute a significant amount of household goods, providing immediate relief and restoring some sense of normality to low income individuals and families. According to Panhandle Community Services, between 23 percent and 29 percent of Childress County residents live below the federal poverty guideline, which is equal to an annual income of $25,812 for a family of four.
The CSBG Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a federal anti-poverty block grant administered in Texas by TDHCA through a network of agencies designated by the Governor as eligible to administer these funds. By federal statute, 95 percent of CSBG funds are provided to community action agencies or other eligible entities, with the state reserving the balance specifically for disaster relief efforts.
About The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is the state agency responsible for affordable housing, community and energy assistance programs, and colonia activities. The Department annually administers funds in excess of $400 million, the majority of which is derived from mortgage revenue bond financing and refinancing, federal grants, and federal tax credits.
Contact:
Gordon Anderson 512.475.4743
Jill McFarren 512.475.2844
