U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development

Located in the region known as the Lower Rio Grande Valley or "The Valley," Hidalgo County is in the southern part of Texas. It is bounded on the west by Starr County and on the north by Brooks County. To the east are Kennedy, Willacy, and Cameron Counties. South of Hidalgo County is the Rio Grande River, which divides the United States from the Republic of Mexico.

For purposes of the Community Development Block Grant, Hidalgo County is considered an urban county. The cities within its consortium are Alamo, Alton, Donna, Edcouch, Elsa, Granjeno, Hidalgo, La Joya, La Villa, Mercedes, Palmview, Penitas, Progreso, Progreso Lakes, San Juan, and Weslaco.

Action Plan

The Consolidated Plan for Hidalgo County has a budget of $11.5 million, $9.3 million of which comes from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $1.9 million from HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds, and $315,000 from Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds.

Citizen Participation

The Consolidated Plan for Hidalgo County was developed with the assistance of the Hidalgo County Consortium cities, public housing authorities, and local nonprofit organizations. A questionnaire was sent to 11 public housing authorities and 60 local nonprofit organizations, and over 22 public hearings were held among the various cities, to determine the various needs of the communities.

Hidalgo County covers a large area -- approximately 1,556 square miles -- and is divided into 4 precincts that include 16 consortium cities. According to the Texas Water Department Board, there are about 868 colonias in the county. Colonias are identifiable, unincorporated areas that lack basic infrastructure and decent housing.

The 1990 census reported the county's population as 383,545, a 35 percent increase from the 1980 census. The annual growth rate is 3.2 percent. Hidalgo County's population is 85 percent Hispanic.

Households are large. The average Hidalgo household had 4.06 residents in 1990. The Colonias Factbook lists the average colonia household at 4.8 persons.

Of the 103,514 households in Hidalgo County, 22,248 are classified as extremely low-income (earning 30 percent or less of median family income [MFI]); 16,594 are very low-income (earning 31-50 percent of MFI); and 18,921 are low-income (earning 51-80 percent of MFI).

Conditions

Hidalgo County leads all Texas counties in agricultural production, including cotton, citrus, grain sorghum, and sugarcane. Manufacturing employment increased in the 1980s, while in the 1990s the retail sector has shown the largest growth. Of special importance to the Hidalgo County economy has been trade with Mexico, which accounted for much of the region's growth. Despite this the county's unemployment rate in March 1995 was 19.2 percent.

Market Conditions

Approximately 62 percent of housing units in Hidalgo County are single-family homes. Mobile homes are the second most prevalent type of housing, comprising 20 percent of all dwelling units. The high number of mobile homes is attributed to the "winter Texans" who come to the area during the winter months, and to the low-income families who find it an affordable way to live.

In 1990, 71 percent of the households were owner-occupied. Hispanic households were more likely to rent than white households. The elderly made up 17 percent of the homeowners. Because of the high demand for housing, Hidalgo County had only a 4 percent vacancy rate in 1990.

Large housing units are also in high demand because the county's average household size is greater than four individuals. The 1990 census reported that 91 percent of owner households and 94 percent of renter households lived in overcrowded conditions. Residents of colonias are three times as likely to live in substandard housing as urban or rural households. Hidalgo County has a total of 103,514 housing units. Of these, 8,652 substandard units and 30,902 units that are considered substandard, but suitable for rehabilitation.

Affordable Housing Needs

Extremely low-income households in Hidalgo County are more likely to be large and headed by an elderly person on a fixed income or by a single parent. Such households are also more likely to include persons with disabilities. Of the 22,248 extremely low-income households, 11,755 are renters, and 10,493 are homeowners. While overcrowding was an issue for this category, affordable housing was a greater concern. Among renters, 6,295 pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing and 4,591 pay more than 50 percent of their income for housing. Among homeowners, 6,045 pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing, and 3,806 pay more than 50 percent of their income for housing.

Among very low-income households, 5,765 are renters, and 10,829 are owners. Households in this category are also more likely to be headed by an elderly person on a fixed income or by a single parent and were more likely to include persons with disabilities.

There are 13,297 homeowners in the low-income household category. As in the other lower income groups, low-income households face specific problems, such as overcrowding, substandard housing, and inability to acquire a home. Households in this category often included younger families with children, families with parents employed in low or moderate wage jobs, or elderly households.

Homeless Needs

The 1994 State of Texas Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Committee unanimously decided to abstain from using the 1990 census data on its homeless population because it found that census takers severely underestimated the number of homeless persons in Hidalgo County and the State. This decision was supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

An acceptable count of the homeless population and their shelter needs in Texas is currently unavailable. Mujeres Unidas/Women Together, which offers programs for battered and abused spouses, shelters up to 1,159 clients in immediate physical danger.

The Hidalgo County American Red Cross, Community Service Agency, Mujeres Unidas/Women Together, and the Salvation Army offer services that assist individuals and families at-risk of becoming homeless. Many of those at-risk live in rural areas. The Texas Department of Aging estimates that almost 23 percent of rural households are impoverished, compared to only 17.2 percent of urban households.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

There are 10 public housing authorities (PHAs) in the Hidalgo County Consortium and the county has its own public housing authority. The PHAs administer 1,331 public housing units and 1,476 Section 8 certificates and vouchers. The certificate program assists 1,276 families and elderly and disabled households per month, and the Voucher Program provides housing for 200 county residents.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

The Consolidated Plan for Hidalgo County identified the following barriers to affordable housing:

• High land costs.
• Increased construction costs.
• High financing costs, including interest rates.

Lead-Based Paint

Hidalgo County consulted with the County Health Department, which says that no incidents of exposure to lead-based paint have been reported.

Other Issues

About 10 percent of the total population is over the age of 65, and 19 percent of that population is over the age of 80. Nine percent of elderly renter households and 17 percent of elderly homeowner households are classified as very low- or low-income households.

Supportive services such as transportation, meals, and recreational events are offered by organizations such as Amigos del Valle, Inc.; Tender Loving Care; Sunglo, Inc.; CASA Real; El Recreo; and Casa del Sol. For those with more intensive needs, Hidalgo County has several congregate care facilities.

During the past year, the Palmer Drug Abuse Program provided services to 1,548 persons. The Valley AIDS Council, Corazon Unidos, and Hidalgo County Health Care Corporation provide services to the 220 persons in the county with HIV/AIDS, but there is no housing exclusively for persons with HIV/AIDS. There are no residential facilities for the mentally ill or physically or developmentally disabled.

Community Development Needs

The Consolidated Plan for Hidalgo County identified more youth and senior centers as strong community development needs. More health facilities, better transportation services, infrastructure improvements, and employment training were also identified as current community development needs.

Housing Priorities

The Consolidated Plan for Hidalgo County identified the following housing priorities:

• Rehabilitation of 400 owner-occupied units.
• Homeownership opportunities for 500 families.
• Rental housing rehabilitation of 15 units annually.
• Construction of 200 new housing units.

Nonhousing Community Development Priorities

The Consolidated Plan for Hidalgo County identified the following community development priorities:

• Infrastructure improvements, especially flood and drain, water and sewer, and street improvements in the rural and colonia areas of the county.
• Public services, especially for the elderly and youth throughout the county.
• Health facilities, especially in the rural and colonia areas of the county.
• Economic development, especially commercial and industrial infrastructure, development of microbusinesses, and technical assistance.

Antipoverty Strategy

Because of the high unemployment rate, the county's Office of Education and Training provides job training programs to 4,000 persons per year. The goals of the county's antipoverty strategy are to place trained persons in permanent jobs in the public or private sector and remove them from the poverty level to a better standard of living.

In addition, the county seeks other sources of funds to provide the necessary infrastructure and encourage the development and expansion of local industry and business in the area.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The county participates as a grantee in a number of Federal programs including Job Training and Partnership Act funds, Community Service Agency (HHS), and the Head Start Program. In 1994 Hidalgo County was one of four counties designated as a Rural Empowerment Zone.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs provides funding for infrastructure development activities in the colonias. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Grants assist in constructing recreational facilities throughout the county. The Texas Water Development Board provides funding for water and sewer needs.

Local revenue in Hidalgo County covers basic community services. The county is committed to community development and has continuously established partnerships with local school districts, municipal governments, and economic development corporations to create an environment that is attractive to new and existing businesses.

Local lending institutions will continue to be asked to actively participate in the implementation of this strategy. Local lenders have demonstrated their commitment to housing with the participation in the HOME First-time Homebuyer Program and in Community Reinvestment Act initiatives.

Coordination of the Strategic Plan

In addition to its membership in the Coalition of Social Service Agencies and its establishment of the Urban County Advisory Council, the county works with various public agencies and nonprofit organizations in the coordination of the Consolidated Plan.

Description of Key Projects

Key projects among the 125 identified by the Consolidated Plan for Hidalgo County are:

• HOME owner-occupied rehabilitation countywide to bring the properties up to Housing Quality Standards ($1.1 million).
• Acquisition of property to construct a fire and a police substation at the corner of 18th Street and Bridge Avenue in Weslaco ($125,000).
• Construction of a youth center in La Villa ($75,000).
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• Construction of a multipurpose building to house a community center and fire fighting facility to serve 209 low- and moderate-income persons in Granjeno ($144,953).
• Rehabilitation of an existing building to house a community center that offers social and educational activities as well as shelter during emergency weather conditions in Penitas ($79,000).
• Upgrading and replacement of sewer lines and installation of manholes in targeted areas throughout Alamo ($100,000).
• Replacement and/or rehabilitation of lift station, including manholes and collection lines as well as improvements to clarifier and distribution system in Elsa ($285,313).
• Construction of a new water treatment plant and rehabilitation of two lift stations located at Eighth and Garza Street and at Fifth and Leo Streets in La Joya ($425,000).
• Replacement and upgrading of water and sewer lines and the expansion of the water treatment facility in San Juan ($493,313).
• Reconstruction of about 11,100 linear feet of street paving, utility relocation and drainage in Donna ($535,313).
• Construction of new houses for low-income families in the rural areas through the Urban County Program ($347,000).
• First-time Homebuyer Program provides $3,500 for closing and downpayment costs to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers ($315,000).
• Rehabilitation of 10 homes targeting the elderly and individuals with handicaps in Edcouch ($78,000).
• Revolving loan program to assist existing businesses and/or new businesses with expansion, construction, and operational loans in Alamo ($170,000).
• Repairs and renovation of Mujeres Unidas/Women Together shelters for battered women countywide ($94,500).

Maps

MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6 .

MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project.