NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
Date of Publication: May 15, 2026
Cameron County
1100 E. Monroe St.
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 544-0830
On or after May 22, 2026, the County of Cameron will submit a request to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following project: The Cameron and Willacy County Colonia Self-Help Center Program
Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: The Cameron and Willacy County Colonia Self-Help Center Program
Purpose: The purpose of the Program is to provide on-site, concentrated assistance to the low-income residents of five specific colonias through various activities including housing assistance, community development activities, infrastructure improvement, outreach and education.
Location: The project area consists of four colonias (unincorporated residential subdivisions) within Cameron County: Santa Maria, Olmito, Arroyo Colorado Estates, and Valle Hermoso; and one colonia within Willacy County: Sebastian. Once specific addresses become known, they will be assessed in the site-specific reviews.
Project/Program Description: Cameron County has been awarded Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) funding from the Office of Colonia Initiatives (OCI) division of (TDHCA) for the administration of Colonia Self-Help Center Contract No. CSH25-0582 to serve the low-income residents of Cameron and Willacy County colonias.
Public Services will include a Tool Lending Library and Computer lab, maintained at the Self-help Center, allowing colonia residents to check out tools for use on their residences and access technology and the internet. 1 to 50 Solid Waste Removal activities will be conducted to remove and properly dispose of bulk waste items, such as brush collection, tires and large objects, from the identified colonias. 1 to 50 Title Related Services will be provided to correct and regularize Contracts for Deed, clouded titles, property transfers, intestate estates, and other title ownership matters.
The Program will rehabilitate or reconstruct 1 to 100 single-family homes, as sufficient funding becomes available. Housing Rehabilitation activities at a maximum per unit cost of $80,000 will be performed by private contractors and shall include self-help labor strategies. Repairs and/or replacement may include foundation leveling, roof repair and roof replacement (with minimum 26-gauge metal or minimum 25-year shingles), energy-efficient doors, insulation, double-pane energy-efficient windows, plumbing, electrical, low VOC paint, energy-efficient HVAC systems and appliances, drywall, water heaters, driveways, walkways and accessibility modifications. Reconstructions of housing units not eligible for rehabilitation at a maximum per unit cost of $155,000 will be performed by private contractors and shall include self-help labor strategies. The total cost for each reconstructed unit shall not exceed $105,000 in CDBG Self-Help Center funding, unless program limits increase; nevertheless, leveraged funding is anticipated to be included in the total cost of each unit assisted over the Self-Help Center limit. Reconstructed homes shall be designed to be energy-efficient, including appliances, and range from approximately 700 – 1,800 square feet. Reconstruction will consist of the demolition of the existing substandard structure and the construction of a new structure on the same basic footprint of the original structure. The replacement of a dilapidated mobile home with a new Energy Star Certified Manufactured Housing Unit shall also qualify as Reconstruction.
Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i)
Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Airport Hazards, Coastal Zone Management, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Explosive and Flammable Hazards, Floodplain Management, Historic Preservation, Noise Abatement and Control, and Wetlands Protection.
Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): n/a
Estimated Project Cost: Estimated $1,000,000 in HUD funding and estimated total project cost of $1,700,000 (with HUD and non-HUD funds).
The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i).
An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Cameron County Courthouse, 1100 E. Monroe St., Brownsville, TX 78520 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Cameron County Judge’s Office. All comments received by May 22, 2026, will be considered by the County of Cameron prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The County of Cameron certifies to TDHCA that Eddie Treviño, Jr., Certifying Officer, in his capacity as County Judge consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. TDHCA’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the County of Cameron to use HUD program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
TDHCA will accept objections to its release of funds and the County of Cameron’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Cameron; (b) the County of Cameron has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the County of Cameron; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to TDHCA at Program Services Staff, P.O. Box 13491, Austin, Texas 78711-3941, or by email to: environmental@tdhca.texas.gov Potential objectors should contact TDHCA to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Eddie Treviño, Jr. Cameron County Judge, Certifying Officer