Since the start of the pandemic and after the passage of the CARES Act, a clock has been counting down the time left to use the federal funds that were awarded from Washington to the counties. 

Hidalgo County Community Service Agency Director Jaime Longoria said the county is in a good position to continue helping families with rent and mortgage payments. 

Longoria said that the pending passage of a congressional relief bill, would cause that ticking clock to reset and the $150 million the county has to spend by the end of the year, could be extended another 12 months. 

"We're urging families to come in and talk to us," Longoria said. "So that we can get ahead of the foreclosures and get ahead of the evictions." 

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