The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) recently awarded $3.45 million in grants to 16 South Texas organizations that offer programs for the more than 3,000 veterans and their families who live in the region.
“Every year, the Commission encourages eligible charitable organizations, local government agencies, and Veteran Service Organizations with veteran-specific programs and services to apply for grant funding,” the Commission’s official website stated.
Applications for the program grants are reviewed by the FVA Advisory Committee, which then makes recommendations to the Commission.
The 2022 grants were presented on August 26 in a ceremony at the Hidalgo County Commissioners Courtroom, Valley Central reported. Some of the other recipients this year included Cameron County, the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency, the Hidalgo County Veterans Office, and Zapata County.
Other South Texas organizations awarded grants were the Willacy County Veterans Office for $300,000, the South Texas Afghanistan Iraq Veterans Association for $50,000, and Tropical Texas Behavioral Health for $300,000.
The Texas Veterans Commission said in a news release, “The grants support a wide range of services from emergency financial assistance to transportation, legal services to family support services and home modification to rental and mortgage assistance. The TVC awards grants in five categories: General Assistance, Housing for Texas Heroes, Veterans Mental Health Grants, Veterans Treatment Courts, and Veteran County Service Officers.”
The General Assistance grants are used for the critical needs the Texas veterans have, according to the TVC website. Mental Health grants are used for the treatment and counseling needs of veterans and their families. Disabled and low-income veterans can benefit from the Housing for Texas Heroes to have their homes modified.
Funding for the grants comes from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA), according to the TVC website. The FVA funds are generated through the purchase of hunting and fishing license registrations, handgun licenses, designated Texas Lottery Commission games, and personal donations.
“The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA or Fund) was created in the 79th Legislature to address the needs of Texas veterans and their families,” the TVC website explains. “The Fund is composed of money deposited under Texas Government Code, the Texas Transportation Code, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Code.”
TVC continued, noting that “The Commission is authorized to use funds appropriated to the Fund to make reimbursement grants addressing the needs of Texas veterans and their families, as determined through veteran needs assessment studies. All grant awards are made through a competitive grant selection process.”
The TVC first approved the South Texas grants in May, according to MY RVG, and they are part of the 139 grants being awarded across the entire state. The approved statewide grant funding totals around $31.5 million and will be provided to more than 120 organizations. These grants are expected to benefit over 22,000 Texas veterans.
Since 2009 the Commission has awarded more than $230 million to organizations in the state, totaling over 1,100 grants, according to the TVC website.
