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Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a Colonia Self-Help Center Program Award to Cameron County in accordance with Tex. Gov’t Code §2306.582 through Community Development Block Grant Funding
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
WHEREAS, the Department is required to establish Colonia Self-Help Centers (CSHCs) in Cameron/Willacy, El Paso, Hidalgo, Starr, Nueces, and Webb counties;
WHEREAS, in 2001 the Department opened two additional CSHCs in Maverick and Val Verde counties as authorized by Tex. Gov’t Code §2306.582 to address the needs of colonias in these counties;
WHEREAS, in accordance with Tex. Gov’t Code §2306.585(b) the Department is required to meet with the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee (C-RAC) at least 30 days prior to the Board’s consideration of a CSHC award;
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2025, the Department met with the C-RAC to discuss a funding proposal for Cameron County, and the C-RAC recommended to award funds to the county; and
WHEREAS, these awards will make Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding available to serve Cameron County colonias with the CSHC Program;
NOW, therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, Director and his designees, be and each of them hereby are authorized, empowered, and directed, for and on behalf of the Department, to take any and all such actions as they or any of them may deem necessary or advisable to effectuate the award of CDBG funding under the CSHC Program to Cameron County in the amount of $800,000 from Program Year 2024 ($205,880.59), and Program Year 2025 ($594,119.41) subject to the executed HUD grant agreement for the 2025 allocation.
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BACKGROUND
The Department is required to establish CSHCs under Tex. Gov't Code §2306.582 to provide on-site technical assistance to improve the quality of life for colonia residents located in five counties (El Paso, Hidalgo, Starr, Webb, and Cameron/Willacy). Additionally, the Department is authorized to establish other CSHCs if it determines it is necessary and appropriate. Since the creation of the program in 1995, two additional CSHCs have been established in Maverick, and Val Verde counties. Effective September 1, 2021, HB 2893 required that a third additional CSHC be established in Nueces County.
The CSHC contracts have a term of four years per Tex. Gov’t Code §2306.587, and a limit of $1,000,000 in accordance with 10 TAC §25.5. The CSHCs are funded through a 2.5% set-aside (approximately $1.5 million per year) of the annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) non-entitlement allocation to the State of Texas. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) receives the allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and TDA and TDHCA together manage CDBG funds and implement the CSHC Program through a Memorandum of Understanding.
TDHCA’s Colonia Resident Advisory Committee (C-RAC) reviews proposals from participating counties that include a Performance Statement and Budget for the activities to be implemented in their respective designated colonias. On August 1, 2025, the C-RAC convened for presentation of the Cameron County proposal. The C-RAC recommends to the Board that it award the proposal in full. Funds are proposed to be utilized as follows:
Public Service Activities:
Operation of one tool lending library where persons may check out tools for home construction or improvement, which will benefit at least 400 colonia residents, 300 of which have low to moderate income.
Operation of a technology center where persons may access computers and the internet, which will benefit at least 400 colonia residents, 300 of which must have low to moderate income.
Implementation of at least 10 solid waste removal activities, with an estimated collection goal of 20,000 lbs. of solid waste removed from the targeted colonias, and benefitting at least 3,955 households, 2,986 of which have low to moderate income.
Provision of at least five services related to correction and regularization of contracts for deed, clouded or otherwise impaired title, which will benefit at least 15 colonia residents, 11 of which are low to moderate income.
Housing Activities:
Reconstruction of at least six housing units and/or manufactured home replacements, which will benefit at least 12 colonia residents with low to moderate income.
On August 25, 2025, TDHCA’s Previous Participation Review Approval Process (PPRAP) recommended approval of the new CSHC contract with Cameron County with no conditions. The Contract Term is anticipated to begin on a mutually agreed upon date, but not later than December 31, 2025.
In order to meet required commitment deadlines, staff recommends an award of $205,880.59 in funding from the 2024 allocation of funds, and an award of $594,119.41 from the 2025 allocation of funds. The award from the 2025 allocation of funds is conditioned on receipt of the federal fiscal year 2025 grant agreement from HUD.
EXHIBIT A
Cameron COUNTY Colonia SELF-HELP CENTER Award Description
Subrecipient: Cameron County
Contact: The Honorable Eddie Trevino, Jr., Cameron County Judge
Colonias: Valle Hermosa (M0310162)
Olmito (M0310111)
Arroyo Colorado Estates (M0310011)
Santa Maria (M0310135)
Sebastian (M2450014) in Willacy County
Cameron County proposes the following housing and community development activities to benefit an estimated 3,955 persons, of which 2,986 or 75% are of low- to moderate-income:
|
Performance Activity |
Quantity |
Budget |
|
Public Service (10%) |
|
$80,000.00 |
|
Tools Library |
400 checkouts |
|
|
Technology Access |
400 visits |
|
|
Solid Waste |
10 |
|
|
Title Related Service |
5 |
|
|
Reconstruction (Not Feasible for rehab) |
6 homes |
$600,000.00 |
|
Administration (15%) |
|
$120,000.00 |
|
TOTAL |
|
$800,000.00 |