New Federal Agreement Increases Aid to Southwest Border Area

Fighting poverty and unemployment in the border area linking the U.S. Southwest with Mexico is no easy challenge. Recently, the Federal Government has stepped up its efforts to help through a new USDA/HUB initiative.

Under the agreement between USDA and HUD, the two departments will work to coordinate the delivery of their programs and services to residents of the border region, including the communities called Colonias, to improve access to assistance and achieve maximum program effectiveness. Cooperation may include cross-marketing of programs, cross-training of staff, and jointly preparing educational materials. Personnel from both departments will work together on one or more pilot projects to evaluate whether improved cooperation can materially improve conditions in the Colonias and areas heavily populated by very low-income migrant farmworkers.

The Colonias areas need a lot of help. Some of the most stubborn poverty problems found anywhere in the country exist in these small isolated communities. This is a case where a community-building strategy is needed with economic development as just one component.

Other joint activities between USDA and HUD will include exchanging information on housing, community, and economic conditions, and working together on research projects involving the Southwest border region.

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