Seven families celebrated as they jingled the keys to their new homes on Friday, June 19, during a ceremony held by Chicanos Por La Causa Inc. (CPLC). Through CPLC’s Self-Help Housing Program based in Nogales, Ariz., these families’ dream of homeownership is a reality.� 

“At CPLC, we know how empowering homeownership is for families and communities, and we are happy to celebrate with these seven families today,” said CPLC President and CEO Edmundo Hidalgo.

Nogales City Manager Jaime Fontes and Rudy Molera, a member of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, were among community leaders at the ceremony to congratulate families and show support for the program.� 

Seven families

“At CPLC, we know how empowering homeownership is for families and communities, and we are happy to celebrate with these seven families today,” said CPLC President and CEO Edmundo Hidalgo.� 

Since 1993, this program has helped low-income and very-low-income families to build and own their own homes. Using a hands-on approach that promotes responsibility and self-sufficiency, the program provides technical assistance for the construction of these stucco houses. The families contribute 65 percent the labor to build them, and the remaining 35 percent is done by registered contractors. Mortgages for these homes are provided by USDA Rural Development.

� CPLC’s Self-Help Housing Program has benefited many families by giving them the ability to gain and retain assets. CPLC has built 38 houses in Nogales and Santa Cruz County and produced close to $5 million in equity in Santa Cruz County.