City of Douglas replaces mobile home for local family

By Francisco Barrios

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 4:36 PM MDT


The Samaniego family can be sure of something and that is they can live in better conditions now thanks to their new home.


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The City of Douglas, through the Housing Department and its housing rehabilitation program have recently completed the replacement of a mobile home located at 1511 19th St., property of Manuel and Aida Samaniego, who have been living on the current property for 27 years.

Rehab-specialist Humberto Rivera offered a guided tour through the mobile home to City Manager Curtis Shook and Councilmember for Ward 2 Mitch Lindemann and Ward 6 Rudy Quiñonez on May 31.

Rivera said the new mobile home had a cost of $53,900 and with an additional installation cost between $2,000-2,500, making an approximate of $57,000 of investment.

He pointed out that the mobile home complies with all state housing codes and it offers several benefits to the occupants, such as insulated and energy-efficient materials, which will allow the family to see some saving in utilities.

Owner Samaniego could not be happier now that she has moved to her new home. She applied for the program thanks to a friend, who encouraged her to go and ask for the help.

After applying, Samaniego was notified by the City that her application was selected for the Home Program (CDBG) but it was needed to replace the entire home due to the damaged conditions the home presented.

“Our old house had a lot of electric problems, the ceiling and roof was very damaged and it had no insulation, so in cold weather it was really hard to stay in here since one heater could not do the job,” Samaniego said. “But now I am really happy and thankful to the City of Douglas for my new home; all the people that know us say it is a beautiful home.”

Rivera said the City can offer this type of program thanks to a grant of $300,000 from the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH); the City of Douglas must apply for this grant every year or every two years as needed. This grant allows the City to repair or replace from 5-6 homes in a range of 1-2 years, depending on the complexity of the rehabilitation or the schedule of the local contractors in charge of the process.

In order to apply, people must comply with certain requirements, such as being 62 years or older; the person must be the owner of the property and must be living in it.

For more information about the Housing Rehabilitation Program, please contact the Housing Department at (520) 417-7385 or visit the City of Douglas at 425 10th St.

 

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Wonderful wrote on Jun 16, 2012 2:25 PM:

    " I pay taxes. I think me and you should. "

    asking questions wrote on Jun 15, 2012 5:05 PM:

    " To Wonderful
    Who should pay for it? "

    wonderful wrote on Jun 14, 2012 5:40 PM:

    " I would like to see alot more families in Douglas get homes like this. "

    believer wrote on Jun 13, 2012 9:26 PM:

    " dont you get it, its becouse of the church and all the prayers that this happened. "

    Neighbor wrote on Jun 13, 2012 6:49 PM:

    " Juan, the Housing Department's program had the money for this. you just keep praying and hoping. "

    J. Zamora wrote on Jun 11, 2012 6:52 PM:

    " Iagree with Juan R. We must stop relying on the government for help and start relying on friends, family and church. God bless the Samaniego family and God have mercy on us. "

    Juan R. wrote on Jun 7, 2012 9:19 AM:

    " I am very happy for the Samaniego family that they now have a nice place to live. The part that bothers me is that government money was used. This is pure socialism. Socialism around the world has led to failure of governments. Just look at Eurpoe right now. Taking care of people in need is the responsibility of churches, family, neighbors and friends. I guess the government has to step in when these other institutions fail or refuse to help. Let us hope and pray that the US does not go broke doing the work of others. "

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