CUOMO AWARDS $2.2 MILLION IN GRANTS TO TEXAS UNDER HUD DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today awarded $2.2 million in grants to communities in Texas under the Department's Disaster Recovery Initiative. HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Saul Ramirez, a former Mayor of Laredo, announced Cuomo's action today in a telephone news conference from Washington.

Congressmen Ciro Rodriguez and Ruben Hinojosa joined Ramirez in the telephone news conference in making the announcement.

The grants will go to the State of Texas to help communities in portions of southern Texas recover from damage to homes, businesses, roads and bridges caused by severe thunderstorms and flooding last June. The following counties will be assisted: Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Comal, Eastland, Edwards, Gillespie, Goliad, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Real, San Saba, Travis, and Uvalde.

President Clinton declared the 21 Texas counties disaster areas July 7. The Disaster Recovery Initiative grants were authorized under legislation signed by President Clinton in June.

"No amount of money can erase the devastation caused by the severe storms and flooding in Texas, but this assistance can help speed recovery efforts to create stronger and better communities," Cuomo said. "The Clinton Administration and all Americans stand with the people of Texas in our determination to rebuild from the damage caused by these storms as completely and quickly as humanly possible."

The HUD assistance will supplement aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies.

Congressman Rodriguez said: "This is great news for the communities devastated by floods last summer. Texas will be receiving more than $2 million in innovative grants from the federal government. That money will help us rebuild our flood-damaged homes, businesses, roads and bridges."

Congressman Hinojosa said: "This federal grant will help in the repair of homes and businesses affected."

Congressman Lloyd Doggett said: "I am pleased federal funding will be available to Travis County to facilitate rebuilding after last summer's devastating flooding."

Congressman Lamar Smith said: "I am pleased about this additional federal assistance to the areas that sustained such severe damage in June's floods. Many needs remain unmet and many repairs remain undone. These funds will help ease the financial burden the floods have left on local governments and residents throughout the area."

Funds under the HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative can be used for long-term recovery efforts, property buyouts, relocation and efforts to prevent future flood damage. The program will give communities great flexibility in meeting local needs.

Communities can use HUD funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities; homeownership assistance, including downpayment assistance and interest rate subsides; building new replacement housing; code enforcement; and assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.