It was the oldest house on the block and even though it wasn't safe to live there, it was packed with 63 years worth of memories and they didn't want to let it go.
"Everything was falling apart, the heater, we had cracks in our rooms, our windows were not that good, either," said Julieta Mendoza, 63. "But my parents lived there; we were born and grew up there."
Fortunately for Julieta and her sister Margarita, 66, moving into a new and safer place did not mean having to leave the lot that their parents bought 63 years ago.
The original house was demolished, and, on Thursday, a new house built on the same lot was unveiled by the Primavera Foundation Replacement Housing Program. The program focuses on revitalizing unsafe houses and developing new ones on abandoned properties in the city of South Tucson.
"At first we didn't like the idea of having our house demolished, but we both talked and decided it was time to let go," said Julieta.
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That is probably the most difficult sentiment for residents to overcome, said Marcy Brell, chief financial officer with the Primavera Foundation.
"A lot of the individuals here in South Tucson need to be encouraged because they tend to — like the Mendoza sisters — to struggle with the fact that their house was going to be demolished … they were born there, raised their kids there, that's their home," said Brell.
There are about 130 houses in South Tucson that need to be replaced, according to Brell, and the program's goal is to do 10 to 15 a year.
The Primavera Foundation is a local nonprofit organization that assists those living in poverty. The assistance extends to the homeless.
Last year, the Primavera Foundation launched the Replacement Housing Program. The Mendoza home is the fourth place built. The criteria to qualify for the program is to be an owner of a residence in the city of South Tucson. It takes about four months from start to finish to build the new house.
Through this program, families can apply for funding to get emergency repairs on their homes. But if it costs more to fix it up than to replace it, said Brell, the Primavera Foundation looks for alternatives.
"If they own a big lot, they might split their lot and sell us half," Brell said.
The organization works with Energy Star manufactured homes..
Brell said the organization is accepting applications for the Replacement Housing Program.
"And we are actually trying to get the young people coming back into town," she said. "So if we can get some nice houses around, and the nicer the community, the less crime."
The Mendoza sisters' new house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Soon, Brian Jesús Mendoza — Julieta's son — will move into the house built on the half of the property owned by the Primavera Foundation, which helped finance the new house.
"We are going to be more comfortable," Margarita said. "We both love to cook, and I can't wait to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in the new house."
For more information
Primavera Foundation Replacement Housing Program
• Call: 623-5111
• Web site: www.primavera.org
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