AUSTIN, TX – January 14, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – With the goal of providing low income Texans the necessary tools to stabilize their own lives and living environments, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) today awarded three community assistance contracts totaling $128,058 to a regional nonprofit serving McMullen County.
TDHCA selected Bee Community Action through a formal application process to administer contracts through the Community Services Block Grant, Comprehensive Energy Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance programs. The three programs are designed to help low income individuals become more self-sufficient while creating a healthier,
more affordable home for themselves.
“Now that the selection process is complete, we are eager to see these vital services being made available to the residents of McMullen County as quickly as possible,” said Michael Gerber, TDHCA Executive Director. “Bee Community Action submitted a solid application, and the Department is confident they will prove to be excellent stewards of these funds. We look forward to a long working relationship with this organization.”
Bee Community Action will use $50,000 in funding through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program contract to provide a wide array of programs aimed at promoting self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on other government programs. Although specific services may vary, organizations administering CSBG funds typically provide job training, transportation, child care and drug and alcohol counseling, among others.
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program contract totaled $59,991 and will allow the organization to help income eligible households pay utility bills for up to 12 months while offering consumer counseling regarding ways to reduce energy consumption. The $18,067 Weatherization Assistance Program contract will provide for the installation of weatherization material and high-efficient heating and cooling equipment to help lower future utility bills and create a safer, healthier home.
All three programs target individuals and households earning no more than 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline, which equals an annual income of $26,500 for a family of four.
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 services, energy assistance, and colonia housing programs. The Department annually administers more than $400 million through for-profit, nonprofit, and local government partnerships to deliver local housing and community-based opportunities and assistance to Texans in need.
