Second-Generation Policy Priorities for Colonias and Informal Settlements in Texas

Along the Texas border with Mexico, more than 400,000 people live in over 2,000 informal self-help settlements known as colonias. These exceedingly low-income, largely Latino settlements have historically suffered from severe health risks, poor infrastructure and housing conditions, and physical and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Housing policy debate 2015-04, Vol.25 (2), p.395-417
Main Author: Durst, Noah J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
colonias
Generations
Hispanic Americans
Home ownership
Homeowners
Housing developments
Infrastructure
Investment
land use/zoning
Low income groups
low-income housing
Mexico
Policy making
Public housing
Public infrastructure
Self help
self-help housing
Settlement patterns
Studies
Texas
U.S.A
Urban planning
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Summary:Along the Texas border with Mexico, more than 400,000 people live in over 2,000 informal self-help settlements known as colonias. These exceedingly low-income, largely Latino settlements have historically suffered from severe health risks, poor infrastructure and housing conditions, and physical and social isolation. Researchers and policymakers have focused extensively on what I call "first-generation policy priorities." This has primarily entailed efforts to regularize title and infrastructure, support self-help home improvement for colonia homeowners, and prevent the growth of new informal settlements along the border region. I provide a comprehensive review of existing research on colonias to document the myriad ways in which housing and infrastructure conditions and titling practices have changed since these settlements first proliferated throughout the border region in the second half of the 20th century. These changes necessitate a rethinking of the policy priorities for colonias and informal settlements throughout the state. In particular, I argue that colonias must be recast to recognize the significant improvements that have taken place but also the long-term and sometimes severe problems that persist. These "second-generation policy priorities" include the development of sustainable forms of governance, regulation, and finance to address ongoing infrastructure investment needs in colonias; supporting access to and upkeep of safe and affordable renter- and owner-occupied housing through both self-help and contractor-led projects; ensuring long-term title clarity; and promoting community organizing in new and aging settlements.
ISSN:1051-1482
2152-050X
DOI:10.1080/10511482.2013.879603