The Hidalgo County Urban County Program (UCP) is administering a competitive funding opportunity under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program – American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP), specifically for the provision of supportive services to qualifying populations. The County is allocating $1,042,269.90 in HOME-ARP funding for this purpose. The program is designed to address the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, those at risk of homelessness, individuals fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking, and those at greatest risk of housing instability. This NOFA was formally released on January 13, 2026, with a structured timeline for workshops and submission.
Eligible applicants for this grant include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations incorporated in Texas and units of local government that are part of the Urban County Program. All entities must be in good standing and possess appropriate registrations and policies such as SAM.gov activation, financial management systems, and equal opportunity compliance. Applications will not be scored unless the organization meets these baseline requirements. Applicants must attend one of two mandatory Technical Assistance Workshops: January 20, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., or January 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The application submission deadline is February 13, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. CST.
The grant supports a wide range of eligible activities, consistent with HUD’s HOME-ARP guidelines. These include services such as child care, education, employment assistance, mental and physical health services, substance abuse treatment, housing search and counseling, case management, legal services, landlord/tenant liaison support, credit repair, transportation, and rental or utility assistance. Services must be delivered in alignment with HUD’s standards outlined in Notice CPD-21-10, and applicants must demonstrate that their proposals meet both local and federal requirements.
Applications will be scored out of a maximum of 105 points. The evaluation criteria emphasize organizational capacity, alignment with community needs, measurable impact, coordination with other service providers, and financial stability. A minimum set of documentation must be submitted including Articles of Incorporation, proof of tax-exempt status, board membership list, organizational chart, and recent audited financial statements. The narrative portions of the application must address the applicant’s history, capacity, service delivery approach, and client accessibility plans.
The performance period, eligible costs, and reporting expectations will be defined in the formal grant agreement. Clarification questions regarding the NOFA must be submitted by January 28, 2026, and all answers will be issued via addendum. Funding decisions are subject to both the HOME-ARP rules at 24 CFR Part 92 and the local priorities of Hidalgo County.
All inquiries should be directed to the Hidalgo County Urban County Program via email at [email protected] or by phone at (956) 787-8127. The primary contact for the program is Miriam Mustaffa (Ext. 2261). This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in stabilizing vulnerable populations through coordinated service delivery at the local level.
