GEORGE WEST — For the second year in a row, the city has been awarded a HOME Grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

The grant allows for low to moderate income families to receive a new home if they meet all of the requirements.

Last year, five of the houses were built for George West residents, and this year, due to an increase in state funding, six houses will be built.

The houses are worth $80,000 each.

The time to file applications is 9:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at George West City Hall.

Grant Works employee Donna Johnson said people should plan to be there between four and six hours.

“We want everyone to be there at 9:30 a.m.,” she said. “We will fill out the application as a group.”

Then they will explain how the process works and break up and serve people in the order that they signed in.

People will be given an estimate of what time their individual appointment is with a Grant Works representative, and they are free to go home and come back at the designated time.

Things that residents need to bring when they fill out the application are warranty deed or other proof of ownership of land, tax receipts verifying all property taxes are paid, driver’s license or photo I.D.’s for all household members 18 and up, Social Security cards for all household members and six months of back bank statements.

Filling out the application and verifying that a person has brought in all the correct information is only the first step in the process.

Grant Works employees will be on hand to help make sure that people applying bring all the proper documentation with them.

The first six applicants who bring all the correct and necessary information will be able to move to the next step in the process.

Johnson said step two is ordering the title work and step three is turning in everything to the state and waiting to get its approval.

Once the approval is received for the submitted applications, the building process can begin.

The future home owners are part of the process in that they have to find a temporary place to live while their new home is being constructed.

Once construction is finished, the keys are turned over to the new owners.

When asked how she felt about being able to give people a new home, Johnson said, “It feels really good. You get to see the results of changing people’s lives.”

For questions about the application process or more information, call Grant Works at 512-420-0303, Ext. 306.