(AUSTIN) — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) today announced that it has permanently contracted with the Seguin-based Community Council of South Central Texas to administer two programs providing services essential to low income residents in Edwards, Kinney, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala counties.

This action ensures continuity in service for TDHCA’s Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program.

Earlier this year, TDHCA approved temporary contracts for each program with the nonprofit agency when the previous service provider voted last May to relinquish its contracts, leaving TDHCA with no delivery system. TDHCA’s action today ensures these much-needed programs remain accessible to the region’s low income residents.

CEAP pays a portion of low income households’ utility bills while providing them the consumer education and case management to better manage their energy consumption for a healthy, more affordable living environment. Additional help may be available during extreme weather conditions or fuel supply shortages.

CSBG helps fund a wide range of programs designed to eliminate poverty and promote self-sufficiency. Assistance typically includes child care, health and human services, transportation, job training and employment services, housing, substance abuse prevention, and related services.

“The Department is extremely pleased to finalize its relationship with the Community Council of South Central Texas and ensure these important programs continue to be delivered to those in need,” said TDHCA Executive Director Tim Irvine. “The organization has proven it has the experience and know-how to administer these complex federal programs, and we are confident it will prove to be an excellent and long-term resource in these six counties.”

To qualify for assistance under these programs, households must earn no more than 125 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines which, for a family of four, equals an annual income of $28,813. For more information, residents should contact the Community Council of South Central Texas directly at (830) 303-4376 for information regarding eligibility and assistance.