A groundbreaking ceremony at a dirt lot in Farmersville officially kicked off construction of “La Esperanza,” a housing project that will create 101 affordable homes for local families.
“Today is a meaningful step forward for the city of Farmersville,” Farmersville Mayor Tina Hernandez said during the April 17 groundbreaking. “For the first time since 2017, we are seeing a new subdivision take place. As leaders, it is our responsibility to set higher expectations for our community and to focus on what truly drives a strong and sustainable economy.”
The project, the latest in a series of partnerships between Self-Help Enterprises and the city of Farmersville, includes the active participation of future homeowners in the construction of their houses.
Self-Help Enterprises will work with groups of 10 to 12 families through the agency’s mutual self-help housing program, Self-Help Vice President Betsy McGovern-Garcia said. The families are paired with an “experienced” construction superintendent who oversees the work. Through a “sweat equity,” labor from the families, they will build their own homes.
“None of the families move in until everyone in the group is completed, which really creates a sense of community,” McGovern-Garcia added. “Once the homes are done, they move in and they’re homeowners.”
Mayor Pro Tem Araceli Ochoa said that participating in the home building process will empower the future homeowners.
“(The future homeowners) are not just receiving a house. They’re building it with their own hands, piece by piece, sacrifice by sacrifice, pride by pride,” Ochoa said. “That kind of effort does something deeper. It builds not just homes, but a lasting sense of belonging and community.”
“It’s humbling to see blood, sweat, and tears go into these homes, and when they’re done, the smiles on their faces just makes me remember why I do what I do,” said Stacy Marie Lopez, loan specialist with USDA Rural Development, which helped fund the project.
The housing construction will begin when the permit process is complete, and after street improvements are made along West Walnut Avenue in Farmersville.
Houses will be built in phases over the next three to four years. Families who are selected will begin working together to build their homes and support their neighbors through the process.
“With homeownership opportunities out of reach to many working families, this groundbreaking represents opportunity for the families who will call this Farmersville neighborhood their home,” Self-Help CEO Tom Collishaw said. “By providing affordable home buying accessible to local families, including those in the farming community, we’re helping to build stability, pride, and a strong foundation for the next generation in this growing community.”
For more information about the program or to inquire about participation, visit www.selfhelpenterprises.org or call (559) 651-1000.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: ‘La Esperanza’ housing development breaks ground in Farmersville
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
