The development of Texas colonias dates back to at least the 1950s. Using agriculturally worthless land, land that lay in floodplains or other rural properties, developers created unincorporated subdivisions. They divided the land into small lots, put in little or no infrastructure, then sold them to low-income individuals seeking affordable housing. Colonia residents generally have very low incomes. Per capita annual income for all Texas counties bordering Mexico-where most of the colonias are located-tends to be much lower than the state average of $16,717. In border counties such as Starr, Maverick and Hidalgo, per capita annual incomes in 1994 were $5,559, $7,631 and $8,899, respectively.

Stuff you learn about working for a water/wastewater consulting firm...colonias (i.e. shanty towns) in border counties that lack even adequate sewage disposal, much less electricity, healthcare, education, etc. The federal government via the US Department of Agriculture has earmarked a paltry $25M in FY07 for their (re-)habilitation. Even the smallest (150,000 resident) wastewater plant and piping infrastructure starts at $15M.

GWB, be ashamed. This is pork worth pulling.

-janelane, sheltered