The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville (HACB) is to provide access to affordable, quality housing, and achieve self-sufficiency through education and collaborative partnerships, for all residents of our community.
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On October 4,
we were honored to welcome Dr. James Sallis. Dr. Sallis is a Psychology Professor at San Diego State University directing the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Active Living Research Program. During his lifetime, he has co-authored three books and has received various distinctions and awards.
Dr. Sallis will be conducting a study with the future residents of Trail Village to analyze how living by a nearby trail increases physical activity.
Thank you to the UT School of Public Health, Community Partners, and City Commissioner Dr. Rose Gowen for bringing this idea to the table, we look forward to seeing the result of this initative.
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Poinsettia Gardens at Boca Chica Groundbreaking and Trail Village Celebration
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On
September 18
we held ceremonial groundbreakings for two major affordable housing developments: Poinsettia Gardens at Boca Chica and Trail Village.
The projects are being made possible by nearly $30 million in tax credit awards from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. TDHCA awards tax credits to eligible participants to offset a portion of their federal tax liability in exchange for creating or preserving affordable rental housing.
Carla Mancha, HACB’s chief executive officer, said “(Poinsettia Gardens) was identified as part of the housing strategy under the ... planning grant for Buena Vida,” she said. “When the residents of Buena Vida, which is on 14th Street, got together and planned the transformation plan for Buena Vida, they identified this land to be the first housing project in that plan.”
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Groceries for Residents in-partnership with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.
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The partnership between the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville u
nder a pilot program, 250 bags of groceries a month were distributed at no cost to families living in HACB’s Buena Vida housing development. Each bag contained about $40 worth of groceries, with the Food Bank making them available to HACB for $4 per bag.
Based on the pilot’s success, and thanks to additional funds secured by the Food Bank, the program is now being expanded to 750 bags of groceries per month for the next six months. Each 20-pound bag contains contain grains, fresh vegetables, canned goods and fruit.
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Deal Sealed on Historic Former Hotel, El Jardin
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The Brownsville Housing Opportunity Corporation (BHOC) finalized the real estate purchase of the El Jardin building on November 25th, 2019.
Below is an article that was published prior to said purchase.
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Youth Exploring the World of Technology and Coding through ConnectHome's KANO
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Throughout the Thanksgiving Break, youth between the ages of 8 and 12 living in an HACB housing development had the opportunity to attend a three-day camp geared towards learning coding skills on a KANO Computing Device.
This opportunity was made possible through a GitHub grant awarded by EveryoneOn, a partner of the Housing of Urban Development's (HUD) ConnectHomeUSA Initative.
Concluding the camp, parents were invited to witness first-hand all that KANO offers, leading to every student being able to take their own kit.
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Children's Book Club Guest Readers
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October
Sofia Benavdiez
Cameron County Commisioner Precinct 1
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November
Trey Mendez
City of Brownsville Mayor
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December
Minerva Pe
ña
Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees President
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Welcome, Commissioner Miller!
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On November 18, HACB welcomed Mr. Jesse
Miller as the newest member to their Board of Commissioners!
Jesse Miller, AIA is an architect with Megamorphosis, working to create places and spaces where people can thrive. Jesse earned a Masters of Architecture at Ball State University, located in his home state of Indiana. While in graduate school, Jesse studied at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico working on his thesis titled“Between Tradition and Dissent: Learning From and Working With Ignored Communities.”
On behalf of CEO Carla Mancha and the entire HACB family we look forward to working with Commissioner Miller in expanding the programs and housing opportunities for the families we serve and the community of Brownsville.
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Board Of Commissioners
Mr. Patricio Sampayo, Chairman
Mr. Noe Guerrero, Vice Chairman
Mr. Luis E. Gardu
ño, Commissioner
Mr. Jesse Miller, Commissioner
Ms. Laura Villarreal, Resident Commissioner
Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Carla Mancha
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