In 2021, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) made available $43.4 million in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funds for cities and counties to apply for awards to create, expand, or enhance public facilities that provide medical care, social services, and/or emergency housing to mitigate future pandemic outbreaks. The resulting Community Resiliency Program (CRP) awards included the City of Sulphur Springs’ and its newly opened Senior Citizens Center.

“We’re so excited that this day has finally come,” said Dawna Pryor, Senior Citizens Center coordinator. “I can’t explain how much this means to our senior community and for everyone involved with this project.”

TDHCA awarded 15 applicants for projects ranging from health and wellness centers, to food pantries, to emergency medical service vehicles. The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center will serve as a space for all senior-related activities, including the Meal-A-Day Program that helps feed local residents.

“This project is something I’ve wanted to see done since I came aboard as a city council member,” said Sulphur Springs Mayor, John Sellers. “I’m proud to say that the Senior Citizens Center is the first project to be completed using the TDHCA funds.”

CRP funds allow low- and moderate-income areas, and rural and small metro communities to address gaps in their ability to prepare, prevent, and respond to a pandemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Many rural and smaller urban areas lack the capacity in critical areas, thus limiting a quick, safe and effective response to such events.