New San Juan subdivision gets first homeowner

SAN JUAN — The ground Ana Nava stood on was a vacant lot just 60 days ago. Overgrown grass and weeds ran wild on the huge plot of land.

Tuesday, though, Nava, with her family in tow, was handed the keys to her new home here, the first in the new Las Vistas Subdivision. The 30-acre, gated community near the intersection of South Stewart Road and Ridge Road in San Juan is planned to have 154 homes soon.

But for now, Nava’s three-bedroom, single-story house stands alone in the middle of the vast field, with a couple of uncompleted homes about 100 feet away in either direction.

It was all made possible by Affordable Homes of South Texas Inc., a 33-year-old nonprofit that helps put low-income families into new homes by acting as developer, builder and mortgage company.

“I’m very happy. I will have a better life for my sons,” said Nava, a single mother with a 5-year-old, Julio Perez, and a newborn, Santiago Perez. “It’s a pleasure for me and an honor to be here.”

Nava, 26, teared up as she accepted the keys to the home from AHSTI Executive Director Robert “Bobby” Calvillo and U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, in front of a crowd of local officials and supporters.

State Reps. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, and Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, were also there to congratulate the young mother.

Nava graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American in August with a teaching degree and is now working as a teacher’s aide at Hidalgo Park Elementary in Pharr.

“I am so proud to congratulate you and your family,” Hinojosa said. “I think you are a role model for many women in our area for sticking to your plan and finishing your education.”

AHSTI acquired the land for Nava’s home — and the other 153 lots — from partner Compass Bank in July for about $1.2 million after the bank repossessed the land from the previous owner, Obra Homes. The land became an eyesore after it was repossessed, and San Juan police often had to patrol it late at night, Calvillo said.

After AHSTI bought the property, San Juan waived some charges — like building permit fees — and the nonprofit began building Nava’s home just less than 60 days ago.

“This is a great program,” San Juan City Manager Tony Garza said. “To see something like this come to light so fast and at the same time produce a nice tax base” for San Juan is great.

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Nick Pipitone covers McAllen and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.