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 (HUD).

Several theories may explain the formation of colonias, including ethnic enclave economy theory, barrio exploitation theory, farmworker exploitation theory, and theory of the underclass (Rochin and Castillo).  This means that, in short, as ethnic groups form communities that become increasingly physically isolated, it is easier for them to be targeted for exploitation.  Particularly in the case of farmworkers, these communities thus become further isolated as exploitation continues, further perpetuating the poverty of that group.  Some speculate that colonias were caused by the cancellation of the Bracero Program (which formed communities of undocumented immigrants; Baer).

The impoverished nature of these communities causes a deficit in funding for the infrastructure and living needs of residents.  Thus, 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 (HUD). These funds came from HUD as well as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), North American Development Bank (NADBANK) and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC; Baer). In 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.

Links:

• Department of Housing and Urban Development- Colonias/Farmworker Legal Working Group and Colonias Quick Facts

• Susan E. Baer, PhD, San Diego State University- Colonias: California's Forgotten Communities?

• Refugio I. Rochin and Monica D. Castillo, Center for Latino Policy Research- Immigration and Colonia Formation in Rural California