Arlington residents Sarah and Rudy Rosales have been busy these past few weeks, unpacking boxes, arranging furniture and deciding where to hang pictures in their new Sanford Street home.
These tasks mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the couple, who became first-time homeowners in March after years of renting thanks to a partnership between the City of Arlington and the Development Corporation of Tarrant County. The Rosales family, who received down payment and closing cost assistance, opened their home to the public earlier this month as part of an event designed to showcase neighborhood revitalization efforts and quality, affordable housing options in Arlington: The American Dream City.
"It's definitely a dream to be able to own our own home," said Sarah Rosales, mother of two.
The Rosales' three-bedroom, two-bathroom house is one of 10 affordable, single-family homes built in Arlington by the Development Corporation of Tarrant County since 2011. The Development Corporation recently invited city and community leaders and the public to tour the new two-story brick home it also constructed next door to the Rosales family as well as a remodeled home on nearby Orange Street.
The open house for the three new single family homes took place on April 20th, during National Community Development month to highlight the benefit of HOME and Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development. These funds help further the City Council priority to Champion Great Neighborhoods by helping Arlington families with access to improved housing, neighborhood infrastructure, and numerous community services.
With features such as solar panels, rain barrels and Energy Star appliances, the homes built by the Development Corporation are sustainable and energy efficient to lessen expenses for the new owners.
Those energy savings will come in handy for Sarah and Rudy Rosales, who are parents to 10-month-old daughter Esther and 3-year-old son Ezra.
"This house exceeded our expectations," Sarah Rosales said. "There's so much space. I can see us being here for several years."
The Development Corporation built the Sanford Street and Orange Street homes through a collaborative effort between the City of Arlington HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Wells Fargo, History Maker Homes, BBVA Compass, BB&T Bank, and Liberty Bank.
Click here to learn more about the Development Corporation of Tarrant County Homebuyer Assistance Program.
Click here to learn more about the City of Arlington Homebuyer Assistance Program.
Champion Great Neighborhoods
Government, Housing, News