Colonias Quick Facts

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Welcome to the colonias Information page!!!
Bienvenidos a la pagina para informacion de las colonias!!!

Hemos creado esta pagina especialmente para aquellas personas y familias que viven en las colonias y para aquellos que estan trabajando para mejorar las condiciones de las colonias. Esperamos que anoten esta pagina y regresen a ella frequentemente. Si tienen algunas sugerencias de informacion adicional que debemos agregar a esta pagina, por favor dejenos saber.

About Colonias

	What are Colonias?
	Texas Water Development Board Colonias Project

HUD's Assistance Programs:

Community Development Block Grant Program

A colonia is in this program as any identifiable community in the U.S.-Mexico border regions of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas that is determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria, including lack of a potable water supply, inadequate sewage systems, and a shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary housing.

The border region means the area within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border excluding Metropolitan Statistical Areas with populations exceeding one million. Section 916 of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 required the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California to set aside 10 percent of their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in FY 1991 for colonias. For FY 1992 through FY 1994, HUD, in consultation with representatives of thecolonias, determined an appropriate set-aside percentage, not exceeding 10 percent, for each of the four states. The set-aside was voluntary in FY 1995; it was required by the appropriations act in FY 1996, and made permanent by the 1997 appropriations act.

In FY 1998 Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico set aside 10 percent of their State CDBG funds for use in colonias while California set aside two percent. The set-aside funds are used for all CDBG-eligible activities that meet the needs of colonias. Most of the funds have been expended on water and sewer and housing assistance.

Community Development Block Grant Assistance:

Discover how CDBG funds can be used to assist colonias
Community Development Block Grants

Rural Housing and Economic Development Program
The Rural Housing and Economic Development program provides grants for capacity building and support, including seed money, for housing and economic development in rural areas.
More on Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED)

Colonias Set-Aside Field Contacts

Border Area HUD Field Offices

	HUD Texas State website
	HUD New Mexico State website
	HUD Arizona State website
	HUD California State website

Federal Programs for Colonias

	HUD, CEED and CLG Partnership: Community Outreach Centers
	HUD: Community Development Block Grants
	EPA: Border Environmental Health
	EPA: U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program
	USDA: Rural Utilities Program
	USDA: Rural Housing Service

General Information

	Fair Housing Laws
	Manufactured Housing and Standards
	Lead Hazard Control
	Housing Counseling
	Housing Discrimination Form