Antonio and Donna Ortega were brought up to “do the best they could with what they had.”
Until recently, “the best they could” was a small, one-bedroom apartment on Gaston Avenue for the Ortegas and their two young children.
Eight-year-old Cecilia slept in the bedroom, while one-year-old Emmanuel slept in the living room next to his parents, who slept on a sofa-bed.
“We don’t like apartments,” Mrs. Ortega says. “Apartments are no place to raise children.”
“I wanted someplace where (our children) could get out and run around in the yard without someone screaming that they are making too much noise.”
That’s what last month’s Housing Awareness Week was all about. Co-sponsored by the Center for Housing Resources and the Greater Dallas Community of Churches, and coordinated with the Dallas Habitat for Humanity, volunteers repaired and painted 20 homes and built three homes during the 10-day program.
The Dallas branch of Habitat for Humanity, based near Garrett Park in East Dallas, works year-round to increase the supply of safe, affordable housing for low-income Dallas families, says Susan Dunlap, Habitat’s director of development.
The Ortegas typify participants in this program.
Two years ago, they decided to purchase a home through HUD. “I was told we didn’t make enough money to make house payments,” Mrs. Ortega says. “I figured if I couldn’t go through HUD, then there was nothing left for me to go to.”
Earlier this year, the Ortegas saw a Habitat sign in the neighborhood.
“I called, and Habitat said they provided housing for low-income families. I said: ‘We qualify for that’,” Mrs. Ortega says.
The family began a series of interviews to assess their need, honesty, character and ability to repay a mortgage. With Habitat, there is no downpayment and no interest charged on the outstanding mortgage principal. In lieu of a downpayment, families complete 400 hours of sweat equity.
The Ortega’s new three-bedroom house carries a 25-year, $42,000 mortgage, with a $250 monthly payment.
Donations and volunteers make the Habitat program possible. NCNB, Bank One, Coleman Heating & Air Conditioning and Led Con Inc. contributed cash, volunteers and materials to build the Ortega’s home.
Park Cities Baptist Church member Herb Parker and 30 parishioners were among hundreds of volunteers for housing awareness week.
“Volunteering for Habitat gives me a sense of satisfaction of improving living conditions for families who want a better place to raise their children,” Parker says.
The Ortegas couldn’t agree more.
“It’s a miracle that so many people would volunteer so much of their time and money to help us get a home,” Mrs. Ortega says. “You don’t expect it to happen in this day and age.”
