Rio Grande Valley receives more than $2M in state grants for veteran services

More than $2 million in state grants is headed directly to Rio Grande Valley governments and agencies to provide housing, financial assistance and mental health services for veterans and their families.

Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Veterans Commission presented the grants Tuesday during a Grants Across Texas event in Harlingen, part of a broader $5.8 million round of funding awarded to 21 organizations across South Texas.

Of that total, $2.025 million was awarded directly to five Valley governments and agencies: Cameron County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, the city of Harlingen and the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency.

The largest local award went to Hidalgo County, which received $600,000 through two grants. The county received $400,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes and $200,000 for nonclinical mental health services.

Harlingen received $475,000, including $275,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes and $200,000 for financial assistance.

Cameron County and the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency each received $400,000 for financial assistance, while Willacy County received $150,000.

“These organizations understand the needs of our veterans because they are working directly with them every single day,” Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda said during the event.

Valley veterans could benefit from additional grants

The $2.025 million represents grants awarded specifically to governments and agencies based in the Rio Grande Valley. Some of the remaining South Texas funding went to regional organizations whose service areas may extend into the Valley.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, for example, received $215,000 for free legal services, while Goodwill Industries of South Texas received $200,000 for trade skills training. The state’s announcement does not break down how much of those regional grants will ultimately serve Valley veterans.

Other recipients are based in communities including Corpus Christi, Laredo, Webb County, Zapata County, Nueces County, San Patricio County and Bee County.

Altogether, the state expects the more than $5.8 million announced in Harlingen to provide services to 2,827 veterans across South Texas.

Part of statewide veteran funding

The South Texas awards are part of $40.8 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grants approved for the 2026-27 grant cycle.

The Texas Veterans Commission awarded 190 grants to 160 organizations statewide, with the funding expected to serve more than 125,000 veterans, their dependents and surviving spouses.

“Today is about making a direct impact on the lives of these men and women and their families,” Texas Veterans Commission Executive Director Thomas Palladino said during Tuesday’s event.

The program has distributed more than $400 million through 1,790 grants since 2009. Funding comes primarily from Texas Lottery games designated for veteran support, along with voluntary donations and state funding.

Tuesday’s event in Harlingen was part of the Texas Veterans Commission’s Grants Across Texas Tour, which highlights organizations receiving funding throughout the state.

Abbott said the grants are intended to expand access to services ranging from housing and meals to job training and financial assistance for veterans and their families.