May 21, 2013
News
Colonias Receive Federal Funds
By KGNS News
It's hard to imagine living without sewer or water, but that's exactly what some people in Webb County deal with on a daily basis.
"The living conditions that these families in the Colonia areas are going through, they're very difficult conditions to live in."
The Texas department of agriculture recently announced they will be awarding nearly $5.5 million in federal funds to Colonia communities that will help with sewer and water services that some people take for granted.
"It's normal to us, but to them it's something new. It's something they've never had."
Also something people seem to take for granted is heat. On days like this, you can turn on your heater in your home, but that's not the case for people living in the Colonias.
"So that in times of extreme cold like today, their homes are insulated so at least they have more comfortable nights...warm nights for their families."
In addition to this federal fund, Canales talks to us about another fund from homeland security that will also help the Colonias. Fire alarms will soon be installed in the homes which Canales says is extremely helpful.
"Most of these families don't know how the smoke alarms work and what they're for."
