El Paso veterans program awarded state financial-assistance grant; committee discusses legislative tracking and outreach

Antoinette Hunt, the veteran county service officer, told the City of El Paso Veterans Advisory Committee that the county’s application for a Texas Veterans Commission financial-assistance grant has been approved and awarded.

“The grant covers rent, mortgage, utilities, phone, and car payments,” Hunt said, urging committee members to refer veterans, family members and surviving spouses in need.

Why it matters: The grant is intended to help veterans avoid homelessness or financial crisis by covering basic household costs. Hunt also asked the committee to help review recent state legislation affecting veterans and to coordinate advocacy if items that passed earlier this year should be reintroduced.

Hunt said the county will present several resolutions recognizing local veteran organizations at Commissioners Court on July 28. She listed groups that will be honored: the United American Veterans Organization (UAVO), American Legion Post 36 (marking a centennial-era anniversary noted as 105 years), the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Armed Forces YMCA. Commissioners Court is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.; Hunt estimated the resolutions would run until about 11 a.m.

Hunt said she has received the Texas Veterans Commission’s compilation of bills that passed and those that reached the floor but were not enacted. She said she spoke briefly with state legislators who attended a recent Commissioners Court meeting and learned that bills that did not pass this session must be reintroduced by an interested party.

Hunt asked the committee to consider a joint city–county review of that list to identify items that affect local veterans and merit follow-up with state representatives.

Committee members and county representatives also described several upcoming outreach and recognition items: the county will accept nominations for a “Veteran of the Year” from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30; the county planned an unaccompanied burial ceremony at Fort Bliss Cemetery (the county’s veterans honor unit will provide a two‑round volley); a Korean War remembrance event was scheduled for July 23; and a Persian Gulf Memorial unveiling was set for Aug. 2 at the Old Glory Memorial (9550 North Gateway, across from Sam’s/near EPCC). A VA back-to-school Vet Fest with a car-seat event was announced for the 26th at the Del Paso VA on Piedras from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hunt also described cooperation with precinct commissioners to identify service gaps and to locate homeless veterans who may need assistance. She said volunteers are seeking training so they can safely represent both city and county efforts during outreach.

What remained undecided: Hunt urged the committee to formalize a schedule for reviewing state legislative developments; committee staff said they already produce state and federal legislative summaries and offered to provide a comparison of the city’s approved priorities with what actually passed this session.

Ending: Hunt asked members to send veterans in need to county services and to attend the July 28 Commissioners Court recognition if possible. She closed by noting the county will circulate detailed invitations and follow-up information by email.