Photos: Sparks HDC

Sparks Housing Development Corporation

(left) The Sparks Colonia

A Grassroots Response to Colonia Problems

Sparks, a colonia about 15 miles west of El Paso, is a dynamic nonprofit organization of community residents who are providing housing and social services. The Sparks Housing Development Corporation built their own community center with volunteer labor and established a health clinic. Sparks HDC also provides social services and operates a successful housing rehabilitation program. The organization is also in advocating for basic infrastructure such as electric, water, sewer, and natural gas service. 84% of homes in Sparks need improvements. Median income among families seeking housing help is $10,000. Before the nonprofit corporation began working on housing there was little hope for these families. The corporation recently completed building four brand new homes and rehabilitating four homes in the Sparks colonia using funds from the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs. The Sparks Housing Development Corporation is an effort by colonia residents to solve problems where previously there was no hope. The result has been innovative, strongly community oriented, and highly successful.

Before (left) and after (right) photographs of houses rehabilitated or reconstructed in the Sparks Colonia