FY2025 Community Project Funding Requests

Listed below are the projects Congressman Casar has submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration for FY25 Community Project Funding (listed in alphabetical order): 

Dove Springs Early Childhood Education Center
Project Recipient: City of Austin

The City of Austin will equip the Dove Springs Early Childhood Education Center to provide high-quality affordable childcare for working families. According to Children at Risk’s child care desert maps, 78744 is a subsidized child care desert and a high-quality child care desert. The project will enable the neighborhood's youngest and most vulnerable residents to forge a path to a brighter future.

• Address of Recipient: P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
• Project Location: 5811 Palo Blanco Lane, Austin, TX 78744 
• Amount Requested: $1.2 million
• Disclosure Form
   

Ella Austin Community Center Campus Renovation
Project Recipient: City of San Antonio 

The Ella Austin Community Center is a complex of five buildings, including the historic Ralph Waldo Emerson junior high school, built in 1923, located in the Dignowity Hill neighborhood of San Antonio’s East Side. Since the 1960’s the Ella Austin Community Center campus has provided a breadth of services to the community including child care, after school youth programs, adult education, older adult programs, job training, gardening and nutrition programs, sports, and office space for community support services. The City of San Antonio will be renovating the campus to upgrade building systems and position the Ella Austin Community Center campus to best serve the community for decades to come. 

• Address of Recipient: 100 W. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205
• Project Location: 100 Military Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
• Amount Requested: $1,124,788
• Disclosure Form
   

Esperanza Community Project
Project Recipient: City of Austin

The Esperanza Community is a non-congregate emergency shelter complex in East Austin. Esperanza’s low barrier and trauma informed nature makes it a unique and integral part of Austin’s continuum of care. The City will fund the construction of a shelter complex made up of 200 individual shelter units, shaded gathering areas, hygiene facilities, and a community center. Once built, the project will provide community members holistic supportive services, including onsite work opportunities, highly personalized case management and housing navigation, and 24-hour crisis management. The Esperanza Community will assist community members with exiting homelessness. Community members are offered not only physical shelter, but a safe environment in a time of transition. 

• Address of Recipient: PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
• Project Location: 780 S. Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78741
• Amount Requested: $1.1 million
• Disclosure Form
   

Hays County Food Bank New Facility
Project Recipient: Hays County

Food insecurity in Hays County is a persistent challenge and one that needs to be addressed head on as a way to improve the quality of life of Hays County residents. In 2023, the Hays County Food Bank saw more people than ever before using their services, and based on the first quarter of 2024, that number is still growing. The Food Bank has expanded food distribution in all areas but the physical space is not enough to meet that need. Hays County will partner with the Food Bank to purchase a new facility that would allow for the food bank to increase their services and continue supporting and meeting the needs of Hays County residents. 

• Address of Recipient: 111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX 78666
• Project Location: 1612 S. IH 35, San Marcos, TX 78666
• Amount Requested: $5 million
• Disclosure Form

Morris C. Beldon Apartments Site and Building Improvements Project
Project Recipient:Opportunity Home San Antonio

Opportunity Home San Antonio, San Antonio's housing authority, requests funds to renovate The Morris C. Beldon apartments, which provides deeply affordable housing for residents of San Antonio. By focusing on the revitalization of all 35 units, this project aims to provide modern, energy-efficient living spaces while prioritizing safety and sustainability. Ultimately, this project underscores the housing authority’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of their residents, fostering inclusivity, and promoting safety within the community through a more sustainable and resilient living environment for all.

• Address of Recipient: 818 S. Flores St., San Antonio, TX 78204
• Project Location: 7511 Harlow Dr., San Antonio, TX 78218
• Amount Requested: $2 million
• Disclosure Form
   

Palacio Del Sol Senior Living Rehabilitation
Project Recipient: City of San Antonio

The City of San Antonio Neighborhood and Housing Services Department will fund the rehabilitation of the Palacio del Sol Senior Apartments. The Palacio del Sol Senior Apartments are home to over 222 low-income residents and individuals with disabilities aged 62 or over. In 2021, Winter Storm Uri caused damage to pipes, building, elevators, kitchen, and literacy center. To appropriately serve seniors, the proposed project will replace and rehab dinner equipment, kitchen equipment, and a literacy center. This project would be an investment into the health, safety, and quality of life for San Antonio’s senior community.

• Address of Recipient: 100 W. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205
• Project Location: 400 N Frio St., San Antonio, TX 78207
• Amount Requested: $850,000
• Disclosure Form
   

Persimmon Point
Project Recipient: City of Austin

Families are being pushed out of Austin by skyrocketing housing costs, requiring a fast and targeted response to meet the need. The City of Austin plans to address this need by investing in Persimmon Point. When completed, this 126-unit homeownership community in Southeast Austin will become a neighborhood that vital workers – like educators, healthcare workers, hospitality workers and first responders – and their families can call home. 

• Address of Recipient: PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
• Project Location: 7051 Meadow Lake Boulevard, Austin, TX 78744
• Amount Requested: $2.5 million
• Disclosure Form
   

Pipeline to Success: Supporting Diversionary High School and Post-Secondary Success Among Underserved Students
Project Recipient: Communities in Schools of Central Texas

Through the Pipeline to Success Project, Communities in Schools Central Texas (CISCT) serves Hays County and Travis County by connecting its Male Student Achievement Program (MSAP) and Providing Access to Holistic Support to Post-secondary Success (PATHS) program to offer supportive programming that diverts students from the criminal justice system and keeps them on track to a stable, successful life. MSAP seeks to break the school to prison pipeline: MSAP Coaches specifically work with Hays County and Travis County high school students who are identified as “at risk” of being pushed out of the education system, including those who are involved in gangs or the juvenile justice system. Alleviating the burden for law enforcement and providing services directly in the school setting. Through PATHS, College-Based Program Managers (PMs) will offer direct services to community college students, while also acting as a navigator to help students connect to the existing supportive resources and programs.

• Address of Recipient: 3000 S IH-35, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78704
• Project Location: Texas Congressional District 35 
• Amount Requested: $400,000
• Disclosure Form
   

San Antonio Ultra-Accesible Fitness Center
Project Recipient: City of San Antonio

Serving all members of the community and investing in a high quality of life is a core aim of the work of the City of San Antonio. This is why the City plans to fund the building of an ultra-inclusive fitness center for disabled members of the San Antonio community. Located within Morgan’s Wonderland, the adaptive fitness center will be tailored to individuals with disabilities and serve as a beacon of empowerment and wellness for all community members. Once constructed, the center will offer a comprehensive range of programs tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of participants, from adaptive strength training and cardio workouts to specialized classes and recreational activities.

• Address of Recipient: 100 W. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205
• Project Location: 5210 Thousand Oaks, San Antonio, TX 78233
• Amount Requested: $4 million
• Disclosure Form
   

Santa Rita Courts Childcare Facility
Project Recipient: Housing Authority of the City of Austin

The proposed childcare center will be part of the redevelopment of the historic Santa Rita Courts housing project in East Austin. Santa Rita, on the National Register of Historic Places as the first public housing created under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, is currently home to 97 low-income families. The redevelopment will more than double the amount of affordable housing and improve the quality of life for all the families who call Santa Rita home. The funds will be used to fund the adaptive reuse of two historic buildings into a childcare center. The center will serve families on a sliding scale based on income, allowing low income families access to high quality childcare. 

• Address of Recipient: 1124 S. IH 35, Austin, TX 78704
• Project Location: 2341 Corta Street, Austin, TX 78702
• Amount Requested: $3 million
• Disclosure Form
   

The Sasha
Project Recipient: Travis County

Travis County will help fund the new construction of 60 units of high quality, supportive housing paired with voluntary, wrap-around services for Austin’s most housing-fragile families experiencing domestic violence. The Sasha will be a five-story, wood-frame, elevator-served building that will be designed with comfort and safety in mind for those who have experienced long-term trauma, violence, and homelessness. The building will feature secured and separated entries. Durability and long-term ownership will be key goals in mind with the selection of finishes and surfaces.  

• Address of Recipient: 700 Lavaca St., Ste. 320, Austin, TX 78701
• Project Location: 1401 Grove Boulevard, Austin, TX 78741
• Amount Requested: $4 million
• Disclosure Form
   

Sir Swante Palm Park
Project Recipient: City of Austin

The City of Austin is revitalizing the historic Sir Swante Palm Park in downtown Austin as the next Phase of the highly-anticipated Waterloo Greenway project. Situated between popular downtown destinations and on the dividing line to the historically diverse East Austin, the City plans to return this central greenspace to an enlivened and ecologically restored park for families and children of all backgrounds.

• Address of Recipient: PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
• Project Location: 200 N. IH 35 Svrd SB, Austin, TX 78701
• Amount Requested: $2 million
• Disclosure Form
   

Travis County Transformation Project (TCTP)
Project Recipient: Excellence and Advancement Foundation

The Excellence and Advancement Foundation (EAF) plays a critical role in the wrap-around support provided by the Travis County Transformation Project (TCTP). Families are given the choice to opt into TCTP when law enforcement is called to the scene of a family violence incident. Current eligibility is for youth aged 15 to 16. The restorative process is based on a rigorously evaluated model. It includes preparation to build readiness for youth and caregivers, culminating in conversations where youth, caregivers, family members, and community participants come together to discuss and resolve the harm caused. 

• Address of Recipient: 900 Chicon Street #C66, Austin, TX 78702
• Project Location: Texas Congressional District 35
• Amount Requested: $750,000
• Disclosure Form

¡Un Centro Sin Límites! - UTSA’s Westside Community Center Renovation
Project Recipient: University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio opened the Westside Community Center in September 2019 in the heart of San Antonio’s Westside. Over the last three years, UTSA has used the facility to provide meeting space for community groups, training for small businesses, classes for youth and seniors, and aided Westside residents and small businesses to complete digital applications for government assistance from city, county, state and federal agencies. However, it is clear that renovations of the space are necessary to help serve the population that utilizes these services the most, the elderly and disabled. Improvements include making the space more ADA compliant, elevating the technology and connectivity, improving furniture and fixtures for greater accessibility, and upgrading the safety and security of the facility.

• Address of Recipient: 1310 Guadalupe Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
• Project Location: 1310 Guadalupe Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
• Amount Requested: $844,200
• Disclosure Form
   

VFW Post 76 "The Petty House" Renovation
Project Recipient: City of San Antonio

The City of San Antonio plans to support the veteran community through the renovation of the VFW Post's Petty House. Originally built in 1891, it stands as the "first post and oldest post" in Texas. Now, at over 129 years old, the house has weathered various challenges, including a house fire, significant weather events, and issues with rodents and trespassers. Funds provided from the City of San Antonio would restore the Petty House to its former glory, ensuring it remains a place for every veteran in Bexar County and Texas. Post 76 will serve veterans and patrons in a safe, stable structure, with public safety at the forefront of the work.

• Address of Recipient: 100 W. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205
• Project Location: 10 10th Street, San Antonio, TX 78215
• Amount Requested: $3 million
• Disclosure Form