Texas doles out more than $500 million from stimulus
March 2, 2009
Federal officials released $14.4 million more to support 12 Texas health centers, many of which provide care to people with no health insurance. The federal money is expected to create more than 400 jobs in the state, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Written by Staff, The Associated Press
FORT WORTH — The Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated more than $500 million to Texas cities and counties on Monday, part of a wave of stimulus money expected to flow into the state.
Federal officials released $14.4 million more to support 12 Texas health centers, many of which provide care to people with no health insurance. The federal money is expected to create more than 400 jobs in the state, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The funding announcements come one week after President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which includes $13.61 billion for projects and programs under HUD supervision. HUD announced allocations on Monday for about 75 percent of its total funding.
Gov. Rick Perry has criticized the stimulus plan and said he is considering rejecting some of the funds. His office did not return a call for comment on Monday.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs received the biggest chunk of money — about $148.4 million for affordable rental housing projects that rely on low-income housing tax credits.
More than 350 public housing authorities in Texas received $119.8 million for public housing projects, including energy-efficient modernization, capital improvements and critical safety repairs. San Antonio and El Paso received the most public housing assistance with about $14.6 million and $12.7 million, respectively.
The state and more than 30 Texas cities and counties received nearly $104 million to find shelter for homeless people. The state received $41.5 million directly, and Houston received about $12.4 million in aid, the most of any city.
HUD allocated about $72.7 million to Texas for owners of Section 8 housing. The money is intended for improvements to the homes.
About $68 million in aid went to the state government and 75 Texas cities and counties through the community development block grant program, typically used by local governments “to rehabilitate affordable housing and improve key public facilities,” HUD said. The state received about $19.5 million through the block grant program, with $8.1 million more going to Houston and $4.7 million going to Dallas.
Galveston and Harris County will receive about $3.9 million to reduce lead-based paint in low-income housing. Galveston will receive $3 million, with the rest going to Harris County.
An additional $624,000 in block grants will go to housing controlled by American Indian tribal entities.
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