Accion Texas, a nonprofit organization whose leadership substantially favors Democratic causes and candidates is set to receive $800,000 in federal grants provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Though the Border Community Capital Initiative is intended to address “the dire living conditions” experienced in south Texas, Breitbart Texas has learned that noncitizens may also directly receive federal funds to “stimulate job growth.”
Breitbart Texas spoke with Accion Texas spokesperson Gina Alma regarding loan qualifications such as United States citizenship.
According to Accion policy, non-U.S. citizens may obtain up to $10,000 in loans. Individuals offering an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may meet qualification standards for a business micro-loan.
According to available Federal Elections Commission (FEC) records, four of Accion’s 12 board members have donated a total of $24,350 to Democratic candidates since 1999: Board Vice Chair Debbie Taylor gave $250 to Democratic Rep. Ron Kirk in 2002; board member Joe Gonzalez gave $14,800 to Democratic Rep. Gene Green between 1999 and 2013; board Member Brandon Seale gave $250 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008; board member Patricia Villarea gave $9,050 to various Democratic candidates, such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, between 1999 and 2012.
Only one of Accion’s board members, Tom Madison, appears to have given to a Republican cause–he gave $300 to the National Republican Congressional Committee in 1998. The other board members are not listed by the FEC as having made political donations.
HUD will give a total of $2 million to Mexican-U.S. border towns in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Five nonprofits, including Accion Texas, will benefit from the money– Affordable Homes of South Texas will receive $800,000; Community Resource Group Inc., International Sonoran Desert Alliance, and Tierra Del Sol Housing Corp will each receive $200,000.
HUD Regional Spokesman Tammye Treviño said of the initiative, “The grants announced today are an effort of the White House Rural Council, which was launched by President Obama in 2012 to help create jobs and expand opportunities in rural communities.”
Follow Kristin Tate on Twitter @KristinBTate
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