Affordable Homes Of South Texas

Impact Story

A new home for Melba Cruz

Melba Cruz is a mother of three boys and a grandmother to seven grandchildren. She inherited a 70-year-old McAllen home from her ex-husband’s aunt after exchanging it for the land they owned, so that Cruz and her boys had a place to stay after the divorce. Cruz had been a working mom for 33 years until she decided to retire in 2020. She had always been great at saving money from each paycheck and knew how to efficiently separate her needs from her wants. Any little extra money that Cruz could spare would almost always go towards fixing up odds and ends on her house. However, little could be done to repair seven decades worth of aging. According to Cruz, the only spot in her house that seemed fine was her kitchen where she loved spending time the most.

When Cruz found AHSTI, the organization’s Senior Rehab Manager, Hector Aleman, assessed the home’s condition. It was clear that Cruz’s home needed serious repairs from the first step onto her front porch. Cruz officially started the replacement process in 2021 and after taking a job as a line cook at DHR Health, a two-year delay, and addressing further challenges with home appliances, she is now the proud owner of a new and improved three-bedroom home, spacious enough for her and her three chihuahuas. She finds great satisfaction in seeing how much progress she’s made with making her home feel like her own again. Cruz is already off to an excellent start, making sure that her top three favorite things are present throughout: pigs, sunflowers, and the color purple.

“I can say it's a feeling of peace and security that I don't have to worry about things like rats and insects eating up my home anymore,” Cruz said. “I'm happy – I'm very happy. Sometimes I wake up, and I still can’t believe that I’m here.”

Impact Story

The Vallejo Family Never Gave up Hope

In the beginning of 2023 Daniel and Victoria Vallejo celebrated the purchase of their new home at Speedy Trails, the first subdivision in the City of Mission, by Affordable Homes of South Texas. "We were looking for a house on the market," said Daniel. "We have always lived with our family. When we saw the opportunity to apply and the help that they offered, it made it really easy to [decide] to become homeowners."

The Vallejos initially encountered some setbacks in addition to getting approved. "They [AHSTI] were able to help us figure out the issues we had in order to be approved for the loan," stated Victoria. "Once we did that, everyone helped us with every opportunity, every next step we needed to do."

Unfortunately, due to COVID, there were delays in the development of the subdivision that pushed the completion date out another year. "There was quite a bit of pressure to complete this development on time," said Robert Calvillo, AHSTI Executive Director. "We had the groundbreaking in February 2020, and then COVID hit, and everything came to a standstill. The customers applying and wanting to build a home in Speedy Trails had to wait quite a while."

However, the Vallejos were able to change their lot reservation to a house, which would be pre-built and available earlier. As a result, the Vallejo family was able to close on their home within a few months of the subdivision completion and spent their Christmas in their brand-new home.

Impact Story

AHSTI helped Miss Barerra achieve her dream

A few years ago, Miss Barrera found herself living in a rent-to-own home in poor condition. She only wanted to help better the lives of her family, especially that of her mother, who had given everything for Miss Barrera and her siblings after the death of Barrera’s father. For seven years Miss Barrera, her mother, and younger brother lived in a house that required much improvement and for which Miss Barerra had to pay taxes and insurance. They hoped that the owner would arrange the necessary steps to improve the home. After years of waiting to no avail, they decided to move into an apartment. But soon after moving, they realized that their situation was no different than if they had stayed in the house. In fact, the living space in the apartment was now smaller than that of the house they once lived in. Miss Barrera was tired of paying so much and not having the comfort that she wanted to have for herself and her family.

While speaking with her co-workers she was informed of AHSTI’s homebuyer program. Like many, she was skeptical that our program would be able to help her achieve her goal. She now testifies that she is a very happy homeowner. Ms. Barrera took advantage of the services provided during her journey to homeownership. These services gave her a better understanding of what it took to become a homeowner. Her and her family are grateful for all the support that was provided throughout the entire journey. They now tell us that, "viven el sueño Americano" [we are living the American Dream].

Impact Story

Mr. Rafael C. Aguilar achieves homeownership for his family

Rafael C. Agular and his wife wanted a home for their children to grow up in. With help from AHSTI’s, their family was able to achieve homeownership, which was the goal from the beginning of their journey with the organization. Learn more about Mr. Aguilar's story.

Impact Story

A home for Mr. Mata and his children

Mr. Mata is a widower. He lost his wife in an accident four years ago and since then has been determined to become a homeowner for his two youngest children. Although three of the couple’s five children were on their own and had moved away, there were still two younger ones at home. Only 14 and 15 at the time their mother passed away, Mr. Mata wanted to make sure they had something of their own should anything happen to him. So, he set out on the journey of becoming a homeowner, a dream that he and his wife both shared. “We had always wanted to purchase our own home,” said Mr. Mata. “It was a dream we both shared, but it never worked out.” Mr. Mata continued, “We tried a few times, but either we couldn’t afford it or our credit wasn’t where it needed to be.” As a result, he and his wife rented for 20 years. Then, a friend mentioned Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. to him. His friend’s mother-in-law purchased her home through AHSTI. He didn’t think AHSTI would accept his application. “I thought I would have to be a two-income household. I’m a single parent. I didn’t think it would happen,” stated Mr. Mata. On January 13, he closed on his new home. “You guys made it possible. You came through for me,” exclaimed Mr. Mata. “It’s beautiful and in a nice neighborhood.”

Impact Story

A safe place to call home for Ms. Perales

Leonor Perales was the first participant to obtain a home under the New Beginning Rehab / Replacement Home Program in a partnership between Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. (AHSTI) and the Texas city of Pharr. A mother of three daughters, ages 21 years, 19 years and 12 years old, Ms. Perales was knocking on doors for a while in search of a program to help her repair her home. After much searching, a relative informed her about the New Beginning Rehab / Replacement Home Program associated with AHSTI and Pharr. She quickly educated herself on the program requirements and decided to apply. Although it took some time to get approved, Ms. Perales says, “All the effort and the long wait was worth it. I still cannot believe that we are the first family to benefit from this great program that AHSTI and the City of Pharr have for its residents. My daughters and I are very excited and grateful for the opportunity they gave us to get a house where we will would no longer have any needs.” Ms. Perales, like many AHSTI client families, is happy that AHSTI provides the opportunity to find and secure a home.