The concept and creation of Proyecto Azteca came as a response to the need of decent and affordable homes for low-income families in Hidalgo County. Colonias are  isolated rural unincorporated communities characterized by third world living conditions. They are highly concentrated pockets of poverty that are physically and legally isolated from neighborhood cities. Generally, colonias lack basic amenities that most of us take for granted, such as water, sewer service, electricity, drainage, decent housing and paved roads.