New life on its way at Buena Vida in Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Buena Vida neighborhood in Brownsville is beginning a new chapter. It is providing affordable homes to families and those at risk of homelessness across the city, including victims of domestic violence.

A total of 212 housing units will be built at the Buena Vida community.

The $19.5 million development will house different communities facing homelessness.

(Dozens attended the Buena Vida groundbreaking ceremony, Tuesday, October 21st, in Brownsville)

The Buena Vida site for seniors will have 82 units, and the Miraflores site for families will have 80 units. The Hope site for victims of domestic violence will have 50 units.

The city's housing authority is at the helm of this project. It is partnering with
non-profit 'Friendship of Women' to provide those 50 units for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

(Non-profit organization, Friendship of Women, with shovels in the ground. 50 units will be for victims of domestic violence.)

"A lot of the time, survivors who are getting out of abusive situations find themselves homeless," said Gloria Ocampo, Friendship of Women CEO. "Because they have always been dependent on their caretaker, or their husband, their partner. This time around, they are not going to be dependent. They are independent people who will benefit greatly from having a place to live that they can call their home."

(Gloria Ocampo, Friendship of Women CEO)

Laura Villareal, the city's housing authority resident commissioner, still remembers her days at the old Buena Vida. She says she lived there for 30 years and that this new era is long overdue.

"It was an old project," said Villareal. "I was there for 30 years. The need, like in this heat, doing laundry outside; if it rained, you'd have to hurry up and take it inside. I think it is a
better life to live in a better place. Because we are deserving of it. We are worthy of living in some better place."

Carla Mancha, the city's housing authority CEO, said the next step right now is to make sure every unit is completely affordable.

"The housing authority has now received the approval from HUD, or Housing and Urban Development, for a housing assistance payment contract, to help the families offset the rent," said Mancha.

House services provided for the Hope site will also differ, such as extra security, in-house case management for childcare, and counseling.

"These particular folks don't necessarily need emergency sheltering anymore," said Ocampo. "They have gone through emergency shelter, and they don't need it anymore."

As for Villareal, she cannot wait to see the new Buena Vida, which will include a walkway named after her.

"I feel blessed," said Villareal. "That is a memory I will take with me the day our lord calls me up."

The housing authority for the city of Brownsville said construction is expected to be completed by 2027.