Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced a $7.9 million funding boost for veteran support organizations across the Gulf Coast and Houston area, a region that houses one of the densest veteran populations in the nation.
The funds, awarded through the Funds for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grant program, will support 38 organizations providing critical services to more than 5,200 veterans and their families across 13 counties. These grants represent part of a larger, record-breaking $46.3 million statewide initiative announced earlier this year.
Targeted Support Where Veterans Need It Most
“In Texas, we will always stand with the brave men and women who selflessly fought for the freedom and liberties we enjoy today,” Governor Abbott said in a statement. “This over $7.9 million in grants will provide crucial services and financial support for our veterans and their families in the Gulf Coast and Houston so they can lead successful lives in our great state.”
The Gulf Coast’s strategic importance in veteran services isn’t accidental. “The Gulf Coast is home to one of the highest concentrations of veterans not only in Texas, but the country, and it is our responsibility as their state advocates to link them to local resources,” noted Kevin Barber, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Vice Chair and Army veteran, who praised grant recipients for “making a difference in the lives of those who served.”
Who’s getting the money? Several prominent organizations received substantial funding, including $350,000 each to Family Service Center of Houston and Harris County for financial assistance, Houston Habitat for Humanity for housing support, Lone Star Legal Aid for pro bono legal services, and PTSD Foundation of America for clinical counseling. United States Veterans Initiative (U.S. VETS) received a combined $650,000 for both financial assistance and clinical counseling programs.
A History of Growing Support
Since 2009, Texas has demonstrated increasing commitment to veteran support, with the FVA grant program distributing more than $359 million through over 1,600 grants statewide. These funds have powered a diverse range of services from emergency financial assistance to transportation, legal services, family support, and housing assistance.
The latest round of funding comes as part of a broader statewide initiative announced in May 2025, where Governor Abbott unveiled a record-breaking $46.3 million in grants to 175 organizations across Texas. That larger package is expected to serve nearly 40,000 veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses.
“Texas is forever indebted to the brave men and women who answered the call to serve in our nation’s military,” Abbott said at the time, noting that “Texas is home to over 1.5 million veterans—more than any other state.”
Transportation remains a critical need for many veterans, particularly in rural areas. Among the recent beneficiaries was the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), which received $250,000 to provide transportation services to veterans needing to access medical appointments and other essential services.
“It is an honor to receive this funding award from the Texas Veterans Commission and Chair Koerner, which allows us to continue our mission to support all East Texas veterans,” said Vince Huerta, GoBus Director.
Five Categories of Support
The funded services cover five distinct categories: General Assistance, Housing for Texas Heroes, Veterans Mental Health Grants, Veterans Treatment Courts, and Veteran County Service Officers. Where does the money come from? Primarily through the Texas Lottery, along with voluntary donations made during vehicle registration or when purchasing hunting and fishing licenses.
TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner emphasized the wide-ranging impact of these funds: “Veterans receive vital services and assistance from these nonprofits and local governments across the state. From clinical counseling to housing and financial assistance to legal services, these Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grants will help thousands of Texas veterans and their family members.”
For the thousands of veterans across the Gulf Coast and Houston area who will benefit from these services, the impact extends beyond the dollar amount. As Governor Abbott put it, “Texas will never forget our veterans, their families, and their service to our state and our country.”
