Cameron County to hold public hearing and authorize application for up to $1 million in TDHCA self-help housing funds

Cameron County Commissioners Court voted July 22 to conduct a public hearing and to authorize submission of an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for up to $1,000,000 under the 2025'2029 Colonia Self-Help Center (CSHC) program.

Daniel Tijerina of the county's Community Services department told the court TDHCA invited Cameron County to apply for continuation funding after the county expended roughly 90% of a prior $700,000 award. The proposed activities in the CSHC application are intended to benefit low- and moderate-income families through housing reconstruction and related improvements in five designated colonias, which the county listed as Arroyo Colorado Estates, Santa Maria, Valle Hermoso, Olmito, and a colonia shared with Willacy County.

The court set a public hearing for Monday, July 28 at 6 p.m. in the Dancy Building courtroom to solicit public comment on needs and proposed uses of the funds. The court approved the public hearing on motion by Commissioner Benavides, seconded by Commissioner Lopez; the motion carried.

In a separate but related action the court approved a resolution authorizing the county judge to act as the county's executive officer and authorized representative for matters pertaining to the application. Staff provided the court with a draft resolution, a performance statement, and a proposed budget as backup.

Why it matters: The grant program is a federally funded state-administered block grant that TDHCA uses to support housing rehabilitation and reconstruction in designated colonias. County staff said the grant would ensure continuity of services in the five designated colonias and allow the county to continue housing improvements underway under the prior award.

Provenance: Item introduced by Daniel Tijerina at ~s=1064.88 and related resolution discussed through ~s=1325.33.