Five Panhandle organizations received $1.1 million in grants to provide services to local veterans, according to Governor Greg Abbott's office. The award was announced as part of the Texas Veterans Commission's Grants Across Texas Tour.
Cornerstone Community Action Agency received $600,000 in two grants: $300,000 for housing assistance and $300,000 for financial assistance. Lubbock County received $25,000 for pro bono legal services. Lubbock Regional MHMR Center received $200,000 for financial assistance. The Salvation Army – Abilene received $200,000 for financial assistance. Potter County received $81,000 for a veterans treatment court program.
The funding is expected to serve an estimated 836 local veterans through the Texas Veterans Commission, which administers the Funds for Veterans' Assistance program. In May, the commission approved 190 grants totaling more than $40.8 million to 160 organizations across Texas, anticipated to provide services to more than 125,600 veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses statewide.
Since 2009, over $400 million in grant funding has been awarded through 1,790 grants in the current program cycle. The grants support emergency financial assistance, transportation, legal services, family support, home modification, and rental and mortgage assistance for veterans.