CDCB PROGRAMS

Colonia Redevelopment

The colonias of South Texas are considered some of the poorest areas in the United States.  The 2000 Census found that the Cameron Park colonia, the oldest and largest colonia in the United States, is also the poorest community (communities with a population of 1,000 people or more) in the United States. In Cameron and Willacy counties alone there are over 120 colonias identified by the Texas Water Development Board.

To meet the housing needs of colonia residents, CDCB, in 1996, implemented a Colonia Redevelopment Program.  CDCB has adopted a three-part colonia redevelopment plan to upgrade colonia housing stock that includes rehabilitation, reconstruction, and new housing construction.

In 1996, CDCB was selected by the State of Texas to found and operate the Cameron/Willacy County Self Help Center to serve five (5) colonia areas - four (4) in Cameron County and one (1) in Willacy County.   CDCB has developed several model loan and grant programs to meet the income and credit needs of the colonia population. In 2008-2009 CDCB started nineteen (19) homes in the rural and colonia areas of Cameron and Willacy Counties.  Since 2000, CDCB has assisted 138 families living in the rural and colonia areas.

Currently CDCB is partnering with Cameron County, The State of Texas, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, US Department of HUD and Department of Ag. These partnerships are allowing CDCB to deliver much needed safe sanitary affordable housing to the poorest of the poor in South Texas.