February 5, 2016
Media Contact:
Gordon Anderson (512) 475-4743
Public Inquiries: TDHCA Housing Resource Center (800) 525-0657
KEY POINTS
- State housing agency awards $9.96M to 38 communities
- Income-eligible homebuyers, owners, and renters to benefit
- Funds expand housing stock, housing options for residents
State housing agency’s $9.96 million to create affordable housing, expand housing choices for low-income Texans
(AUSTIN) — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (“TDHCA”) has awarded $9.96 million through a competitive application process to 38 cities, counties, and nonprofit organizations, funds which will help maintain, increase, and preserve the state’s supply of affordable housing while expanding the options of Texans regarding where they choose to live.
The awards will help communities finance housing activities at the local level in three primary categories: down payment and closing cost assistance for qualifying homebuyers, the repair or replacement of single-family homes owned and lived in by income-eligible households, and rental subsidies and utility deposits for tenants struggling to secure a decent, affordable rental unit.
“These awards will help thousands of Texas households who are most in need of help,” said TDHCA Executive Director Tim Irvine. “For many, there are few options when there’s a hole in the roof or the rent can’t be paid. Most of these families assume homeownership is beyond their reach. A critical mission of the Department is to assist housing providers at the local level address these issues and expand housing options for the residents of their community.”
The awards were made through TDHCA’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (“HOME”), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). Congress established the program in 1990 to expand homeownership and alleviate the problems of homelessness, burdensome rent levels, and deteriorating housing stock.
Most of Texas’ larger cities and counties receive their HOME Program funds directly from HUD. As a result, the majority of TDHCA’s HOME funds must be allocated to smaller communities that do not receive this direct HUD funding.
*[EDITORS: Activity abbreviations: HRA, home repair/reconstruction; HBA, homebuyer assistance; TBRA, rental assistance]
About the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is committed to expanding fair housing choice and opportunities for Texans through the administration and funding of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, weatherization, and community-based services with the help of for-profits, nonprofits, and local governments. For more information about fair housing, funding opportunities, or services in your area, please visit www.tdhca.state.tx.us or the Learn about Fair Housing in Texas page.
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