Community Project Funding Disclosures (FY2025)
This spring, Congressman Joaquin Castro submitted federal funding requests to the House Appropriations Committee for community-based projects in the 20th Congressional District of Texas.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for fiscal year 2025 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Congressman Castro has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested. To read more about the funding request process, click here.
Since the Community Project Funding process launched in 2021, Congressman Castro has secured more than $36 million for a wide array of projects – from housing and libraries to safer streets. While aspects of the application and funding process changed with the Republican House majority shift last year, his commitment to bringing federal funding home to San Antonio remains the same.
Required Project Disclosures
Project Name: Woodlawn Lake Restoration Project
Proposed Recipient: San Antonio River Authority
Address: 100 E. Guenther St. San Antonio, Texas 78204
Amount of Request: $100,000
Explanation of Request: The funding will be used to improve the water quality of Woodlawn Lake by filtering storm water runoff through wetlands with native vegetation, controlling erosion of the lake bank, and creating floating wetlands near storm water inflow points.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Westside Environmental Sensor Tracking and Information Reporting (WESTAIR) System
Proposed Recipient: Southwest Research Institute
Address: 6220 Culebra Rd San Antonio, Texas 78238
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Explanation of Request: The pilot program will place ozone, PM 2.5, and other sensors around the Historic Westside. These sensors will all be networked so that their data can be aggregated and analyzed in real-time by researchers, healthcare workers, and the residents of San Antonio. WESTAIR will allow for real-time ozone and PM 2.5 levels to be accessed at the hyperlocal level and will also provide researchers with data needed to analyze various trends.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Mentoring Programs to Reduce Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Youth in Bexar County
Proposed Recipient: Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, Inc.
Address: 10843 Gulfdale Street San Antonio, TX 78216
Amount of Request: $410,000
Explanation of Request: This project is a request to strengthen and build capacity in mentor recruitment efforts at BBBS in order to recruit many more volunteers, to match the youth ready to be matched much more quickly, and to retain them in long, strong mentoring relationships that are proven to reduce juvenile delinquency and reduce the risk of criminal behaviors later in life for at-risk youth. The program prevents juvenile delinquency by building the protective factors youth need to stay out of trouble and engaged in productive activities such as school and community engagement. BBBS mentoring program is also proven to mitigate the negative impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by providing a supportive outlet for positive connection in the lives of youth BBBS sees.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Mujeres Poderosas: Healing Trauma From Victim/Survivor to Thriver Program
Proposed Recipient: Young Women's Christian Association of San Antonio
Address: 2318 Castroville Road San Antonio, TX 78237
Amount of Request: $300,000
Explanation of Request: This program provides case management and stabilization support to women who have made the courageous decision to escape abuse and violence to start their lives over, moving from trauma and surviving to thriving and self-sufficiency. Provide crisis services, professional therapy, and counseling activities using a Trauma Informed Care approach, including delivering intimate partner violence prevention training.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Tracking Waterborne Microbial Contaminants of Concern in Bexar County
Proposed Recipient: Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Address: One University Way San Antonio, TX 78224
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Explanation of Request: This project seeks to research two facets of wastewater surveillance. First, it will focus on method development and expanding capacity to detect new and emerging pathogenic threats, and antibiotic resistance genes through wastewater surveillance. It will also extend the analysis to include surface and aquifer water.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Bexar County Emergency Communications Radio Replacement
Proposed Recipient: Bexar County
Address: 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio, Texas 78205
Amount of Request: $3,655,000
Explanation of Request: This project will allow Bexar County to acquire and upgrade radio communications devices for public entities, including public safety organizations, first responders, and utilities. This project will ensure that emergency communications are not disrupted and that Bexar County officials are able to maintain interoperability with other public organizations in San Antonio, including entities affiliated with the City of San Antonio. The funding request includes about 430 critical asset devices that comply with the “Project 25” suite of standards for North American digital communications for federal, state, and local public safety organizations, first responders, and utilities.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: San Antonio Police Department Forensic Genealogy Project
Proposed Recipient: City of San Antonio San Antonio
Address: 315 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78207
Amount of Request: $1,260,000
Explanation of Request: This project will allow the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Department to use forensic genealogy to analyze DNA and genetic evidence connected to homicides and sexual assaults, including cold cases. Through this project, the City of San Antonio will document existing evidence, including from cold cases that go back decades, prepare the evidence for analysis, and work with experts to analyze the DNA and genetic evidence, hopefully leading to identification of the perpetrators of these crimes.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Research equipment for Our Lady of the Lake University faculty and students to conduct scientific and health research on the West Side of San Antonio.
Proposed Recipient: Our Lady of the Lake University
Address: 411 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78207
Amount of Request: $4,000,000
Explanation of Request: Current equipment limitations at Our Lady of the Lake University limit research and prevent the continuity of research on site. This funding will allow Our Lady of the Lake University to purchase new equipment to assist faculty and students conduct their research.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Community Resiliency Initiative
Proposed Recipient: City Public Service (CPS) of San Antonio
Address: 500 Mccullough Ave San Antonio, Texas 78215
Amount of Request: $3,000,000
Explanation of Request: The funding will be used to enhance the energy efficiency of public community centers and to install battery systems to provide energy resiliency to the building during times of emergencies and high-energy demands.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Project Uplift
Proposed Recipient: San Antonio Water System
Address: 2800 US HWY 281 N, San Antonio TX 78212
Amount of Request: $3,000,000
Explanation of Request: The funding will be used to repair water leaks in low- and middle-income houses in San Antonio and TX-20.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Roof Replacement in Public Housing
Proposed Recipient: Housing Authority of the City of San Antonio
Address: 818 S Flores St, San Antonio, TX 78204
Amount of Request: $2,075,200
Explanation of Request: This project includes comprehensive roof replacement at five Public Housing Senior/Disabled communities across the 20th Congressional District of Texas. Roof replacement work will include, stripping of all existing roof material, repairing of existing roof plywood decking as needed, installation of a new waterproof roof underlayment material applied using high-performance adhesive, installation of a new 30 year architectural shingle product, replace or repair fascia and soffits as needed, installation of new ridge vents and gable or soffit venting to provide attic cross ventilation, new metal drip-edge material, and installation of a new commercial gutter and downspout systems with concrete splash blocks for proper shedding rain runoff.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Community Economic Prosperity Initiative
Proposed Recipient: Alamo Area Council of Governments
Address: 2700 NE Loop 410, #101 San Antonio, TX 78217
Amount of Request: $1,250,000
Explanation of Request: The Community Economic Prosperity Initiative seeks to breathe new life into an existing building in one of the most impoverished zip codes in San Antonio, transforming it into a dynamic hub for economic empowerment and community development. By funding from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, AAOCG aims to revitalize this landmark property and catalyze positive change in the surrounding area. At the core of our vision is the creation of a multifunctional space that serves as a nexus for small business support and entrepreneurial innovation. The renovated facility will house a comprehensive suite of resources, including access to capital, technical assistance services, training programs, and incubation space, all tailored to meet the diverse needs of local entrepreneurs.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: SAT EV Resiliency Master Plan
Proposed Recipient: City of San Antonio
Address: 100 Military Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Amount of Request: $200,000
Explanation of Request: The funding would be used by the San Antonio International Airport to conduct an EV Resiliency Master Plan in pursuit of overall electrification. The project will support FAA and San Antonio’s efforts to increase fleet electrification which will help reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: VIA Customer Contact Center
Proposed Recipient: VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority
Address: 123 N. Medina St., San Antonio, Texas 78207
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Explanation of Request: Funding will be used to acquire and integrate two call center systems into one and provide centralized training and workflow for more seamless service delivery with the goal of increased customer satisfaction and improved operational cost efficiencies.
Certification Letter: Here
Project Name: Monterrey Park Lighting and Public Facilities Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of San Antonio San Antonio
Address: 100 Military Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Amount of Request: $550,000
Explanation of Request: Funding would be used to improve lighting and other public facility improvements, including the construction of permanent restrooms on site. These renovations will enhance safety and usability for everyone, including elderly individuals, parents with strollers, and individuals with temporary injuries.
Certification Letter: Here