Purchasers of these lots proceed to build homes, usually shacks of recycled materials, or dilapidated trailers or campers, some of which eventually evolve into substantial if not always code, houses. Approximately half of Texas colonia residents do not have adequate water supplies. 1,190 out of 1,193 Texas colonia residents surveyed in 1992 have no approved wastewater services. A large majority of colonias have dirt roads, not even including gravel surfaces, and have no surface drainage systems. Incidence of health problems is high.
Flooding is common in many colonias, making the existence of privies an additional health problem.
Education levels are quite low and school dropout rates are high. Typical family size is 5-6 people. Entire families live in these temporary shelters while they build a house on the property. Many colonia residents buy inexpensive rural lots and set up temporary shelters. Most colonia housing is self-built.