Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) introduced the Ensuring Continued Access to Funding for Colonias Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill aims to protect federal funding sources for colonias along the U.S.-Mexico border. Colonias are often unincorporated areas with high poverty rates and lack basic infrastructure like water and sewer systems. Since 1991, HUD has allocated a portion of grant funding for these communities under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
Gonzales’ bipartisan bill, supported by the entire Texas border delegation, addresses an outdated population standard that could disqualify many colonias from receiving funds. The bill proposes raising the population eligibility for the Colonia Set-Aside from 1 million to 2 million residents. This change ensures that colonia communities in larger metropolitan areas like El Paso and McAllen remain eligible for CDBG funding.
“Colonias along the border have historically lacked the most basic necessities,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “My legislation corrects this problem so that colonias continue to have a fighting chance for self-sufficiency and economic development.”
The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), and Veronica Escobar (D-TX). Cuellar emphasized the importance of ensuring that growing cities like Laredo still allow colonias access to necessary federal funding.
“Colonias in South Texas deserve access to clean water and safe, sanitary housing,” said Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz. “By expanding population eligibility through this critical legislation, we are ensuring more colonias qualify for needed resources.”
Congressman Vicente Gonzalez highlighted that South Texans should not be punished due to surrounding area growth: “This bipartisan bill will ensure colonia communities remain eligible for vital federal resources.”
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar stated, “Ensuring colonias get the funding and support they need has been a priority for me since my time in El Paso County government.”
Background information on colonias describes them as predominantly rural Hispanic communities facing substandard living conditions. A September 2024 GAO report indicates nearly 60 percent of all colonias might lose set-aside funding due solely to surrounding MSA population growth.
For further details on the bill text, interested parties can click here.
