Ensuring Continued Access to Funding for Colonias Act

The bill,Introduce as H.R. 4498 and sponsored by Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas (with cosponsors), seeks to amend the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to adjust eligibility requirements for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Colonia Set-Aside Program. Specifically, it raises the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) population limit that determines eligibility from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000. In practical terms, this expands eligibility to colonias located in larger metro areas (MSAs with populations up to 2 million), broadening the pool of communities that can access Colonia Set-Aside funds. The bill does not create new funding or authorize additional appropriations; it changes who may qualify for the existing set-aside program. This is a policy change intended to maintain or expand access to housing and infrastructure funding for colonias by including more metropolitan areas in the program’s eligibility criteria. As a introduced bill, it would still need passage by both chambers and the President to become law.