This bill doubles the dedicated annual funding for the Colonia Set-Aside Program under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act from $\$1,000,000$ to $\$2,000,000$.
Ernest "Tony" Gonzales
Representative
TX-23
The Ensuring Continued Access to Funding for Colonias Act amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to increase federal support for colonias. Specifically, this legislation doubles the annual set-aside funding for the Colonia Set-Aside Program from $\$1,000,000$ to $\$2,000,000$. This action ensures greater financial resources are dedicated to housing assistance in these underserved communities.
Housing Funding for Colonias Doubles to $2 Million Under New Act
The new Ensuring Continued Access to Funding for Colonias Act is short, sweet, and gets straight to the point: it doubles the money set aside for the Colonia Set-Aside Program. This program, part of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, is designed to provide housing assistance specifically to communities known as colonias—underserved, usually unincorporated settlements along the U.S.-Mexico border, often lacking basic infrastructure like running water or paved roads. Previously, the law required $1,000,000 to be set aside for this program. This Act updates that figure, raising the dedicated funding to $2,000,000 (Sec. 2).
More Dollars for Dirt Roads and Drywall
What does doubling the set-aside mean on the ground? It means more resources flowing to areas that desperately need it for basic housing and infrastructure improvements. For the organizations working in these communities, it’s a significant boost, potentially allowing them to fund twice as many housing rehabilitation projects or assist twice as many families with things like down payments or septic system upgrades. Think of a family in a colonia that has been waiting for assistance to fix a leaky roof or get reliable plumbing; this legislation aims to cut that waiting list by increasing the available budget.
The Fine Print: Who Pays for the Increase?
While the benefit is clear—more money for housing assistance in vulnerable communities—the question always hangs over federal funding: where does the extra $1 million come from? The bill itself only dictates the new set-aside amount; it doesn't specify whether this is a new appropriation or if the money will be redirected from other housing programs. If Congress funds the increase with new money, it’s a pure win for these communities. However, if the funding is pulled from the general pool of affordable housing dollars without increasing the total, it could potentially put a slight squeeze on non-colonia housing programs elsewhere. For now, we only know the goal is to ensure $2 million is explicitly dedicated to this critical area, recognizing the specific challenges faced by colonia residents.