St. Tropez Subdivision – Affordable Single – Family Development Project
St. Tropez Subdivision – Affordable Single Family Development Project consisted of the construction of infrastructure for the development of twenty-four (24) lots for the building of 24 Energy Efficient Affordable Homes.
ST. TROPEZ SUBDIVISION SITE PLAN
This project was completed and sold in 18 months with the help of the City of Brownsville’s Home Development Program Funds and Down Payment Assistance Program and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Bootstrap Program helping low-income families achieve home ownership. The following are some of the affordable homes built on this subdivision.
Six (6) homes out of the 24 were built through the Bootstrap Program from TDHCA. This program is a self-help program where six (6) families help each other to build their homes. Families are expected to be physically involved in the construction of their home by investing sweat equity hours working in the construction of their home by participating in the foundation excavation, to the installing of the rebar, to pouring the foundation concrete, to framing, to the exterior & interior painting, to floor installation, etc. The following are some images of families helping each other towards the great achievement of the American dream of home ownership.
This is a very challenging program for families and their volunteers; however, their hard work and sweat equity pays off by saving 40% – 50% of the construction cost. As part of this agreement, TDHCA’s program provides up to $45,000.00 of interest free loan with an affordability period of 15 years, which means that if the family promises to live in the home, as their primary, residence for 15 years, the loan is forgiven. In addition, the City of Brownsville, provided funding to cover the cost of the land as part of the deal with the same 15 years affordability period with the same terms and conditions.
