The Tool Lending Center (TLC), is a key element in our strategy of empowering people to improve their lives by literally providing them the tools needed to improve their living conditions. CACST is always searching for funds to rehabilitate low-income housing in our area, but the great need for such assistance overwhelms the resources available for such work. Since many low-income residents would be able to make improvements to their homes if they only had proper tools with which to work, the TLC is a project that will have a long-term impact on the local housing situation, especially in the colonia areas, which far exceeds its cost.

Tools and Equipment
The TLC is stocked with a broad variety of high-quality tools and equipment. These tools include:

• Pneumatic Equipment
• Electric Power Tools
• Lawn & Garden Tools
• Gasoline Powered Equipment
• Ladders & Scaffolds
• Painting Equipment
• Concrete Finishing Tools
• Water Pumps
• Hand Tools

Membership
While the project is targeted to low-income people, any person living within the CACST primary service area of Starr, Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Duval Counties can become a member and use the TLC.

Rental Fee
The TLC charges a small rental fee for each item borrowed. This fee covers the cost of staffing the TLC and covering routine maintenance and repairs. This fee is, in most cases, far below market rates.

Deposit
The TLC charges a refundable deposit for each item. This deposit is usually the replacement cost of the item or its pawn value.

Competition
It is not the intention of CACST to be in competition with any other organization, non-profit or for-profit. Only one commercial establishment rents tools and equipment in the area and the rental items are mostly items designed for commercial and/or contractor use. The TLC carries few items that the local commercial establishment carries.

Starr County operates a Self-Help Center in La Casita that offers tools on a similar basis. We will work as partners, each referring clients to the other if we do not have the requested item.