Stories provided in the TDHCA Showcase offer a glimpse into the lives of those whose wellbeing is enhanced every day through TDHCA funds administered by local providers. Each story is told by actual beneficiaries and others through interviews and photos.
When Bertha Hill moved into her home as a young mother in 1972, she had no problem reaching up or crouching down to all the cabinets in her kitchen. But time has a way of changing things.
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Peter and Veronica Ellis needed a place to live. And with two kids, Joshua and Melody, that need was magnified even greater. Unfortunately, their housing options in Williamson County were limited because of Peter’s health issues... More »
Tragedy sometimes makes people resilient. Diana Cardenas can attest to this. After her husband passed away in 1996, she quickly realized her job as a domestic worker was not enough to support her and her five children... More »
Heriberto Ruiz and his wife have lived in the same location since the late 1970s. He built his own home long before the City of Brownsville annexed the colonia where it is located. “ At that time there were no inspections or codes. More »
Jose and Maria Espinoza owned a small home in Brownsville. Like many old homes it had some problems. “We needed a new floor,” explained Mrs. Espinosa. “But we couldn’t afford the $10,000 a repairman told us it was going to cost to get a new floor.” More »
The only type of ‘building’ most twenty-somethings get into these days is building a “friends list” on their favorite social networking sites. Literally building a house is probably not something many of them have considered... More »
Ms. Nealy was a renter for over twenty years. Occasionally, the thought of buying a home crossed her mind. However, she convinced herself she would never be able to afford one. “Buying a house costs a lot of money and I never thought I had enough to buy one”... More »
Doing something right the first time requires preparation. Just ask Leticia Leal. The determined Central Texan knew she wanted to purchase her first home, but minor blemishes on her credit report and her husband’s ongoing truck payments... More »
Contract for deeds are like treadmills. They make you sweat and do not get you anywhere. Mario Castillo and Susana Mendoza, residents of Deerfield Park Colonia in El Paso County, are all too aware of this metaphor... More »
Parents want to provide a good home for their children. Jesus and Inez Marquez wanted to do just that so they entered into a Contract for Deed on November 11, 1993 to purchase raw land at the Mission Trail Estates Colonia in El Paso County.... More »
After her husband passed away in 1995, Dora Levario wanted to provide a good home for her then two-year-old daughter so she entered into a contract for deed to purchase property in the Mission Trail Estates Colonia for $13,000 at an interest rate of 12%... More »
Juan Manuel Carrillo only wanted to provide a good home for his growing family. So, in 1991, he purchased a piece of land under a contract for deed sale in Mission Trail Estates Colonia in El Paso County for $13,500 at 10.5% interest... More »
People buy a house for many reasons. Some are tired of paying rent. Others are upgrading to a bigger home. Chances are the main reason people buy a house is the same reason Andrea Palladino bought hers. “It was solely for my kids... More »
John Casto is writing his autobiography. It’s titled “A New Day to Begin Again” and it recounts his experiences of being a ward of the state as a child. More »
The Paces Foundation recently broke ground for Las Brisas Manor, an independent living community for low-income seniors in Del Rio, Texas. Construction is expected to start immediately, with the community due to open by summer 2012. More »
LA MARQUE — Marice Lowe, a retired factory worker from Indiana, had just moved into the Highland Manor Senior Living apartments in La Marque in June when she spotted the craft room with a perfect window spot for quilting. More »
Losing a job is never easy, especially in tough economic times. Additionally, if a person doesn’t have the job skills or the education employers are looking for, finding a new job can seem near impossible. More »
Suddenly being disabled is hard to deal with, especially if you were climbing up and down cranes at a refinery just a few days prior. Jesse Flores one day found himself in that situation. More »
Clarence Hoodye knows what he needs. And right now, living in an apartment surrounded by good neighbors is exactly what he needs. More »
Living in a nursing facility can sometimes make persons feel like they’re facing a dead end or a brick wall. Diana Palacios, a self-described loner, had been living in one for about a year and wanted nothing more than to get out. More »
Clarence Hoodye knows what he needs. And right now, living in an apartment surrounded by good neighbors is exactly what he needs. More »
TDHCA understands a persons desire to have a place to call their own. Whether it’s owning a home or renting an apartment, having a place to call your own translates to self-reliance and independence. More »
Energy efficiency is key to making a home truly affordable. Successfully weatherizing an older home can help low-income families save money. In some cases, weatherization can do more for families than save money. More »
We want to hear your story! Whether you have benefited from one of our programs or services, or you are one of our contractors, administrators, or subrecipients who deliver services through funding from our programs, we want to hear from you!
Send your scoop to Jorge Reyes at jorge.reyes@tdhca.state.tx.us or call Jorge at (512) 475-4577.
