MIDLAND COLLEGE AND SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE AWARDED $1.1 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
$46 Million provided to Hispanic Serving Institutions since 1999

FORT WORTH - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced $1.1 million in grants
to Midland College and San Antonio College. They are part of $6 million in competitive grants awarded nationally to
10 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) to help revitalize low-income neighborhoods near their campuses and bring
new opportunities to students and families living there.

"These grants are investments in our future generations of great Americans," said HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson. "Not only will these funds help improve neighborhoods but they will help people and places by creating new jobs and economic opportunities in their communities."

HSI grants are awarded under HUD's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities program. Colleges and universities use the funding for a wide range of housing and community development projects such as; rehabilitating neighborhood housing for low- and moderate-income people, purchasing local property for community development purposes and helping neighborhood residents buy homes. In addition, the grants help to develop recreation, day care or senior centers, promote neighborhood fair housing programs and support a variety of other community projects.

"Affordable housing, expanded economic opportunity, and community revitalization are vital necessities for Hispanic American families," said Dr. Darlene Williams, Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. "The Office
of University Partnerships is pleased to partner with these Hispanic-serving institutions because these grants ultimately assist in the effort to meet many of these needs."

San Antonio College intends to use its HSIA grant, in partnership with the SAC Women and Non-Traditional Student Services Department, the City of San Antonio Department of Community Initiatives, UU Housing Corporation, Alamo WorkSource/SER Jobs for Progress, the Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and the San Antonio Food Bank, to create Mi CASA (Career Advancement and Self-sufficiency Assistance), a career development center for low- and moderate-income residents of the neighborhoods immediately surrounding SAC. HSIAC funds will be used to build a 1,800-square-foot building on college-owned property on the southern edge of the campus. The creation of the Mi CASA Center will provide the community with comprehensive career advancement services and wraparound social services designed to lead to further training and/or college enrollment and eventual self-sufficiency.

Midland College intends to use its HSIA grant to expand its role and effectiveness in addressing community development needs through its Cogdell Learning Center. The Center's Savings for Independence program will assist individuals of low- to moderate-income in achieving long-term financial goals such as homeownership and business ownership. The program will achieve its goal by providing personal finance and asset-specific training and matching the participant's savings through an Individual Development Account (IDA) program, up to $1,000. MC's Savings for Independence program will help build economic resilience by providing access to financial literacy education, entrepreneurship, and affordable housing.

The HSIAC Program is one of several initiatives administered by HUD's Office of University Partnerships (OUP). Established in 1994, OUP is a catalyst for partnering colleges and universities with their communities in a shared search for answers to pressing urban problems. More information about OUP and its programs is available on the Internet at www.oup.org.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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