RHED FY 2003 Project Summaries -
Texas

The Center for Economic Opportunities, Inc., San Juan, TX will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative Grant award in the amount of $400,000. The Innovative Grant award will be utilized in the enhancement of the Colonia Faith Base Housing and Economic Project Initiative to establish Micro Businesses and Affordable rural colonia housing. It will also assist in the construction of a Colonia training center for rural isolated low-income families. Partners in this venture will be Milnet Architectural Services, Community Building with Attorney Resources and South Texas Community College. Proposed leveraging amounts to $526,394.

Community Development Corporation of Brownsville in Brownsville, TX will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative grant in the amount of $400,000. The applicant proposes to use their innovative award to construct 20 affordable homes for families with incomes substantially below the median income and to establish a revolving loan fund to benefit the residents currently living in the distressed demographic rural areas and the colonias. Partners in this venture will be Wells Fargo Bank of Texas and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Proposed leveraging is over one million dollars.

Habitat for Humanity of Laredo, TX will receive an Innovative grant in the amount of $400,000. The applicant proposes to use their Innovative award to develop land and build infrastructure in order to construct homes with the help of volunteer labor for persons at 30% to 60% of median income. They will focus on homeownership with a requirement that each recipient would contribute 500 equity hours prior to signing their zero interest mortgage for 20 to 30 years according to their income. Homes will be sold at approximately 30% of appraised value due to no labor costs and other discounts. Partners in this venture will be Richard E. Haynes, Texas A&M University, Family Resource Center and Crime Stoppers. Proposed leveraging amounts to two million dollars.

The Accion Texas in San Antonio, TX will receive an Innovative grant in the amount of $400,000. The applicant proposes to use their Innovative award to expand their microlending program in the Texas Colonias. The recipient is the only organization doing a high volume of microlending to small businesses along the Texas/Mexico border. Their partners are the Laredo National Bank and the Frost Bank. Proposed leveraging amounts to $856,551.

Alianza para el Desarrollo Communitario, Inc. in San Elizario, TX will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Capacity Building grant in the amount of $374,321. The applicant proposes to use their Innovative award to bring affordable housing, social services and community development activities to the Colonias. This grass roots organization has been serving the needs of the Colonias since 1999 and has been a leading advocate for Colonial residents. Supporting this organization are the Sparks Housing Development Corporation, the University of Texas at El Paso, the Rio Grande Council of Governments and Bienestar Familiar. Proposed leveraging amounts to $116,752.

The El Paso Empowerment Zone in El Paso, TX will receive an Innovative grant in the amount of $400,000. The applicant proposes to use their Innovative award to finance the acquisition of land, provide interim and permanent financing, financial literacy education, and the construction of ten units of Energy Star efficient housing for low to very low income Colonia residents. Partners in this project will be the Planning and Development Department, the El Paso Collaborative, the Alianza Para El Desarrollo Comunitario, Inc., El Paso Credit Union Affordable Housing, and the University of Texas at El Paso. Proposed leveraging amounts to $933,100.

Texas Rural Legal Aid in Austin, TX will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Capacity Building grant in the amount of $150,000. The applicant proposes to use their Capacity Building award to target its direct legal services and education efforts to non-profit organizations located in and/or serving individuals in the colonias. The funds will be supporting the continued development of an on-line legal library, to provide critical legal tools, model documents, and links to help nonprofits navigate an unfamiliar legal world and ultimately avoid unnecessary risk and liability. They will also use their grant to expand staffing. Partners in this project will be Texas of Community Development Corporation, Housing Assistance Council, National Council of La Raza and the Enterprise Foundation. Proposed leveraging amounts to $321,367.

Amigos Del Valle, Inc. in Madison, TX will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Capacity Building grant in the amount of $150,000. The applicant proposes to use their Capacity Building award to enhance its management information and marking systems. This will translate into heightened results in providing services to the elderly and facilitating homeownership for Colonia residents and seasonable farmworkers in the Hidalgo County, Texas. The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation is supporting this organization in reaching its goal. Proposed leveraging amounts to $133,000.

Organizacion Progresiva de San Elizario in San Elizario, TX will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative grant in the amount of $400,000. The applicant proposes to use their innovative award to design solar passive energy efficient adobe subdivision's residential housing. These single-family units will replace the hazardous, environmentally destructive and financially unsound housing stock of the colonias. The organization has worked primarily on housing design and construction since 1998, it's primary goal is to overcome the barriers of homeownership for colonia residents who are traditionally locked out of the local housing economies. Supporters of this venture are Housing Assistance Council and the United States Department of Agriculture. Proposed leveraging is over a million dollars.