In dealing with the problems of the substandard developments known as colonias, the Texas Legislature in 1995 passed laws to control many of the problems associated with contracts for deed. But the changes apply only in poor counties near the Mexico border, where colonias proliferate. John Henneberger, co-director of the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, said that right after the colonia reforms, he didn't hear much about contracts for deed. But complaints have increased recently, he said. He and others emphasized that they want to reform contracts for deed, not outlaw them, because they offer the only chance many families have to own a home.
Poor people have very few choices in finding housing.
Storm aftermath Javier Hinojosa was praying as he drove into his neighborhood on the evening of March 28, moments after the deadly tornado had moved on. All around were piles of rubble where his neighbors' houses had been. With a strength born of panic, he got out of his truck to heave a downed light pole out of the way so he could get to his family in their home on Mercedes Street. She had crouched there through the storm, covering their young son and daughter with her body. But his house was in shambles.