Our Casas Resident Council (Nonprofit )

Rebuilding our community one familty at a time.

A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified Community Housing Development Organization, (CHDO) Housing Counseling agency.

The purpose of Our Casas Resident Council, Inc. (OCRC) is to develop and implement initiatives for the empowerment of low to moderate income families.

Our Casas organizes motivates, and assists low-income families to move towards self-sufficiency and into the economic mainstream of employment and home ownership.

Our Casas is helping rebuild the neighborhood one family at a time. Our Casas builds affordable homes. As a HUD-certified housing counseling agency, we help first-time home buyers and mitigate foreclosures.

Our Casas has provided affordable housing, homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention services to low-moderate income families since 1990. Our HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and City certified Community Housing Development Organization, prepares families for homeownership, and prevents foreclosure. We provide a unique opportunity to provide current agency clients with relevant information to purchase a new affordable home.  Our comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization includes not only affordable housing but also homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention services.

Our Casas organizes motivates, and assists low-income families to move towards self-sufficiency and into the economic mainstream of employment and home ownership.

“A house is a symbol of opportunity, it’s a symbol of safety, it’s a sanctuary for families,”
Mayor Ron Nirenberg

Does your home need repairs? You may qualify for free home repairs with Our Casas Home Repair Program.

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Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.

Donate here for a one-time or monthly donation.

This organization is funded in part by the U.D Department of Housing and Urban Devlopment(HUD), Community Funding Project, and Congressman Joaquin Castro.

 

Our Casas has provided affordable housing, homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention services to low-moderate income families since 1990. Our HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and City certified Community Housing Development Organization, prepares families for homeownership, and prevents foreclosure. We provide a unique opportunity to provide current agency clients with relevant information to purchase a new affordable home.  Our comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization includes not only affordable housing but also homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention services.

Populations this program serves:

  • Adults 18+
  • Home owners
  • Home renters
  • Low-income
  • Individuals and families
  • Residents of the following counties: Bexar County, TX, Comal County, TX and Medina County, TX.

Services this program provides:

  • Housing advice
  • Foreclosure Counseling
  • Homebuyer Education,
  • Credit Counseling

This program provides:

  • Foreclosure prevention/Intervention
  • Basic omeownership counseling
  • Credit counseling and credit repair
  • Pre-purchase counseling services for families needing longer than 90 days to close
  • Providing Homebuyer education seminars with certificate of completion
  • Mortgage loan pre-qualification
  • Closing on home purchases as a result of OCRC's counseling services
Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Saturday and Sunday the office is closed.
Zeke Romo - Grants Writer/Workforce Consultant/Affordable Housing Send email
(210) 354-2400
Nick Pena - President Send email
(210) 354-2400

Our Casas Resident Council allows first-time home buyers to purchase an affordable, single-family home in San Antonio.

Our Casas has provided affordable housing, homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention services to low-moderate income families since 1990. Our HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and City certified Community Housing Development Organization, prepares families for homeownership, and prevents foreclosure. 

Upcoming Affordable Home Projects:

-Westside/Kayton Homes--due by mid-2025, this project consists of three, 3BR, 2BA homes in the Southeast part of San Antonio.

-Apache Creek/Dario Chapa Casitas--due by mid to late-2025, this project continues our production of casitas for $100,000 or less in the near Westside.

The Executive Director of the nonprofit says tackling the affordable housing issue this way helps not just the family, but also improves the neighborhood by removing an empty lot putting a house there.

“It’s helping a family meet that American dream of homeownership that is what has been driving the country forever, and we want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity,” said Zeke Romo, Executive Director of Our Casas Resident Council. "You bringing a vacant lot into the tax rolls for example this home over 100 years will bring in with taxes $5000 per year and no telling other kind of income with the family shopping in the neighborhood and eating at restaurants all over the west side.”

The nonprofit is looking to purchase more vacant lots in different parts of the city where affordable housing is desperately needed.

The organization is already accepting applications for purchase.

“A house is a symbol of opportunity, it’s a symbol of safety, it’s a sanctuary for families,”
-Mayor Ron Nirenberg

As the cost of housing continues to cause economic pressure on San Antonio residents, partnerships with Our Casas Affordable Homes Project are vital,” District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo said. “Our families deserve quality housing, and the addition of this home with a casita in the 78207 shows our City’s commitment to supporting San Antonio residents by providing accessible housing.”

The creation of a family home is the culmination of systemwide efforts to align our funding streams, partnerships, and resident services to promote homeownership and reinvestment back into our neighborhoods.

In 2017, the Office of Urban Redevelopment (OURSA) sold five lots to Our Casas to build five single-family homes that would be sold to eligible first-time homebuyers who are earning 80 percent of the Area Median Income or less, which is an annual income of $63,750 for a family of three. 

Affordable homeownership through infill development demonstrates the power of collaborating with our housing partners to expand access to housing stability and opportunity for our families.

To view photos of some of the homes that were built for the program or being worked on click here.

Visit here to learn more about affordable homes and our affordable homes qualifying criteria.

Eligibility for Affordable Home Program

  • First-time homebuyer
  • U.S citizen or permanent resident
  • Must be at 80% AMI or less
  • Families or Individuals
  • Application can be located here.

Our Mission:
Our Casas organizes motivates, and assists low-income families to move towards self-sufficiency and into the economic mainstream of employment and home ownership.

We provide a unique opportunity to provide current agency clients with relevant information to purchase a new affordable home.  Our comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization includes not only affordable housing but also homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention services.

Our Expertise:
With over 30 years of combined experience, our team of builders, architects, and designers has the expertise to handle any project, no matter how complex. We use the latest technology and construction techniques to ensure that our homes are of the highest quality.

You can download the specific criteria for applicants, per Our Casas Resident Council, Inc., here

If you would like to contact us for more information regarding the process for the program, contact us here, or by phone at (210) 354-2400 from 9:00 am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday, or visit OCRC at 2300 W Commerce St Ste #302.

Reduced Cost

Incentives
  • For Prospective Homeowners
Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Maricela Casanova Send email
(210) 354-2400
Updated within the last 1 month.

This program helps repair the homes of low-income homeowners who are located in the Westside of San Antonio. The rehabilitated homes will be renovated to meet building codes and address safety issues among other concerns to provide better living conditions for the homeowners. 

Our Casas Resident Council, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), implemented the Zarzamora Affordable Home Project, an initiative to increase housing affordability on the Westside of San Antonio. 

Our Casas Resident Council Launches Westside Home Repair Program with Grant Secured by Congressman Castro.

Located in San Antonio – With the help of more than $1 million in federal funding secured by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Our Casas Resident Council, Inc. has opened applications for the High Impact Housing Project, a new program to repair owner-occupied homes in the near Westside.

At least 20 homes will be repaired in census tracts 1703 and 1709 in the near Westside with the funding from Congressman Castro, and 10 additional homes in the surrounding area will be repaired with a $300,000 grant from Bexar County.

About Our House Repairs

Owner-occupied home repair services:

Our Casas believes to increase the number of affordable housing units includes building new, single-family homes AND repairing existing homes, so those houses are not demolished or become vacant. The home repair program is funded by Bexar County and HUD through a Community Funding Project made possible by Congressman Joaquin Castro.  

As part of the FY 2023 federal community project funding process, Congressman Castro secured $1,057,257 for the Our Casas Resident Council High Impact Housing Project to support efforts to repair the homes of low-income homeowners on the Westside of San Antonio. The rehabilitated homes had to be renovated to meet building codes and address safety issues among other concerns to provide better living conditions for the homeowners.

Our Casas Resident Council is dedicated to rebuilding the community one family at a time.

To see a selection of photos from some of the homes which have been repaired through the program click here.

To view the Our Casas Home Repair Program Application click here.

Does your home need repairs?

You may qualify for Our Casas Home Repair Program!

Our HUD-approved program provides home repairs for homeowners in need of safety and health-related repairs in specific areas of the city. The program administers an owner-occupied home repair program. Our Casas Resident Council is committed to improving the lives of residents by offering housing solutions that meet their needs. 

Eligibility-

To qualify, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

  • Own or buying the home to be repaired and live there for the years necessary for the loan to be forgiven
  • Have a clear title to the home
  • Have annual income that is 80% or less of the San Antonio area’s average median income ($70,200 and below for a family of four)
  • The home must be a single-family home located in Census Tracts 1703 or 1709 (see map here)
  • The home must meet extenuating circumstances
  • The home must be in Bexar County
  • The homeowner must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
  • The property repairs must address safety, health, accessibility, and/or code compliance issues

 

High Impact Housing Project is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Funding Project, and Joaquin Castro

Homeowners interested in the program can call Our Casas for more information or to request an application.

Contact us to apply:

210-354-2400

Or

[email protected]

 

For more information visit us in in person at:

2300 W Commerce St Ste #302, San Antonio, Texas 78207

Or 

contact us at any of the previous contact options above

 

Not listed, contact the organization for more info.

Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

The High Impact Housing Project is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Haydee Musatto Send email
(210) 354-2400
Jessica Lopez Send email
(210) 354-2400
Updated within the last 1 month.

Our homebuyer education workshop services prepare individuals and families for homeownership.

Our Casas organizes, motivates, and assists low and moderate income families to move towards self sufficiency and into the economic mainstream of Homeownership.

We provide a unique opportunity to provide current agency clients with relevant information to purchase a new affordable home.

Our comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization includes:

  • Homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention services
  • Mortgage foreclosure mitigation
  • Group home ownership education workshops 
  • Referrals to other local programs and housing services

Homebuyer education classes inform first-time buyers on the following topics:

  • Money management
  • Understanding credit
  • How to secure a mortgage loan
  • How to shop for a home

Our services include, but are not limited to:

  • Home buyer’s education seminars with certificate of completion
  • Homebuyer education workshops to prepare indviduals and families for homeownership
  • Group home ownership education workshops

Our First Time Buyer Education class will help you-

Gain the knowledge and confidence you need to successfully achieve home ownership:

  • Learn about affordable home loan programs.
  • Learn about local down payment and closing cost assistance programs
  • Learn about credit and savings
  • Learn about fair housing

Homeownership is an extremely important part of the American Dream.

 It provides stability, pride in your home and financial means to take care of yourself or family members should they need it most The Home Ownership Center helps homeowners through every step from acquisition all while providing educational workshops on how you can better manage what’s going with mortgage payments.

Most agencies believed that homebuyer education and counseling benefited clients at all income levels, but many said that the services most benefited low- to middle-income clients.

Homebuyer education workshops typically are interactive, use a variety of tools, and host guest speakers on specific topics such as the role and services of lenders, real estate agents, insurance agents, home inspectors, and closing attorneys. Some 96 percent of the agencies have lenders, realtors, or housing inspectors teach part of their workshops. Most agencies require the guest instructor to follow the set curriculum, and many have requirements concerning whether the guest instructors can mention their own business, service, or product.

For more information or to sign up for services, call or visit OCRC at 2300 W . Commerce St. Suite 218.

For registration information please call 210-354-2400 or our office location (listed above) or email us at [email protected]

Eligibility:

  • Adults 18+
  • Registration is required
  • Participation in downpayment assistance programs that require homebuyer education or
    counseling.
  • Willingness to complete homebuyer education and counseling services.
  • English or Spanish language preference.
  • Transportation options.
  • Accessibility of a computer and the Internet. 

To qualify for low income housing in Texas, you must meet the following income requirements:

Have annual income that is 80% or less of the San Antonio area’s average median income ($70,200 and below for a family of four).

In-Person Homebuyer Education Facts:

  • Format-Based around instruction by an inperson trainer.
    Participants attend one or several inperson classroom sessions
    (workshops) at a local HUDapproved homebuyer counseling
    agency
  • Duration- 8+ hours
  • Variation in content- Moderate—In-person providers cover
    generally similar topics but may vary
    curricular materials and emphasize
    different topics. 
  • Participant
    transaction costs-Higher—Participants must schedule in
    advance and travel to sessions.

Each certificate includes a date of completion, but there is no expiration date. Lenders may have specific policies regarding how long certificates are valid after the date of completion.

Our Casas has provided homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention services to low-moderate income families since 1990.

Reduced Cost.

The Homebuyer Education office is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Valentina Barrera-Ibarra Send email
(210) 354-2400
Updated within the last 1 month.

Housing counseling provides individuals with one-on-one expert advice sessions in which the person's housing needs, financial situations, and goals are discussed.

HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Services
Our Casas provides HUD-certified housing counseling services to help a family purchase its first home through the stages of saving it from potential foreclosure.

We assist low-income families to move towards self-sufficiency and into the economic mainstream of employment and home ownership. 

 Our HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and City certified Community Housing Development Organization, prepares families for homeownership, and prevents foreclosure.

We provide a unique opportunity to provide current agency clients with relevant information to purchase a new affordable home.  

Our comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization includes not only affordable housing but also homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention services.

Services include:

· Basic homeownership counseling via one-on-one sessions.

· Credit counseling and repair;

· Pre-purchase counseling services for families needing longer than 90 days to close;

· Home buyer’s education seminars with certificate of completion;

· Mortgage foreclosure mitigation;

 ·Mortgage loan pre-qualification

· Group home ownership education workshops;

· Renter/tenant assistance and referrals’

· Foreclosure prevention/Intervention

·Credit counseling and credit repair

·Closing on home purchases as a result of OCRC's counseling services

· And referrals to other local programs and housing services.

“A house is a symbol of opportunity, it’s a symbol of safety, it’s a sanctuary for families,”

-Mayor Ron Nirenberg

Eligibility:

  • This program serves low-income individuals and families
  • Individuals, families, or groups
  • Those who are tenants, homeowners, homeless, or homebuyers, may receive counseling from HUD-approved and HUD funded housing counseling agencies.
  • Your household income must be below 80% of the area median income (AMI). The AMI is updated annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and varies by county.
  • You must have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal immigrant.
  • Activities:

         -Eligible housing counseling activities can include: rental, default,               homeownership, homeless and reverse mortgage counseling for              senior homeowners.

Coverage Area:This program covers residents of the following counties: Bexar County, TX, Comal County, TX and Medina County, TX.

Our Casas has provided affordable housing, homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention services to low-moderate income families since 1990. Our Casas received 10,000 for Housing Counseling from the Texas Foundations Fund (TFF). The grant will continue to support their already success proven, HUD-approved, comprehensive housing counseling program.

They counsel over 300 prospective home buyers, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to make this transition smoothly. By organizing and motivating these families, Our Casas Resident Council Incorporated plays a significant role in helping them improve their economic standing and secure a more stable future.

Tips Before Applying :

  • Get all of your documentation in order: When you apply for low income housing, you will need to provide documentation of your income, assets, and household composition. This documentation may include tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and birth certificates.
  • Be careful and accurate on all information provided: Any false or misleading information on your application will most likely result in your disqualification.

 

Housing Counseling Application links-

For Financial Capabilities click here.

For Post Purchase click here.

Want information about housing counseling or foreclosure?

Contact Us-

You can visit us in person at:

Our Casas Resident Council, Inc.
2300 W. Commerce #218, San Antonio, Tx. 78207.

Or

You can reach us by phone at (210) 354-2400, or email at:

[email protected]

From 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Feel free to send us a message here as well.


 

 

Free

Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

The office for Housing Counseling is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Juan Gutierrez Send email
(210) 354-2400
Arlene Gonzales Send email
(210) 354-2400
Updated within the last 1 month.

Our Casas is still accepting applications from homeowners whose homes need repairs for safety and health reasons and who live in the area between West Commerce, North Zarzamora, South General McMullen, and Laredo/Castroville Road.

About Our House Repairs-
Owner-occupied home repair services:
Our Casas believes to increase the number of affordable housing units includes building new, single-family homes AND repairing existing homes, so those houses are not demolished or become vacant.

Funding:

The home repair program is funded by Bexar County and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) through a Community Funding Project made possible by Congressman Joaquin Castro.  

Saefty:

The rehabilitated homes have to be renovated to meet building codes and address safety issues among other concerns to provide better living conditions for the homeowners.

Our Casas is helping rebuild the neighborhood one family at a time. 

Critical Home Repair (CHR) helps low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain their homes due to limitations related to income, age, disability or other circumstances.

Homes are selected for Critical Home Repair based on greatest need, availability of resources, and on the ability of workers to help complete the project.

Through the Texas Foundations Fund, TSAHC partners with nonprofit organizations across Texas to support housing programs that assist very low-income households.  To date TSAHC has invested almost $8 million to support the following:

Home repairs and accessibility modifications in owner-occupied homes
Home repairs to help restore homes damaged by natural disasters 
Supportive housing services, such as case management, mental health services, and housing and financial counseling, proven to help households maintain their housing stability.

To view the Our Casas Home Repair Program Application click here.

Our Expertise:

With over 30 years of combined experience, our team of builders, architects, and designers has the expertise to handle any project, no matter how complex. We use the latest technology and construction techniques to ensure that our homes are of the highest quality.

Does your home need repairs?

You may qualify for Our Casas Home Repair Program!

Our HUD-approved program provides home repairs for homeowners in need of safety and health-related repairs in specific areas of the city. The program administers an owner-occupied home repair program. Our Casas Resident Council is committed to improving the lives of residents by offering housing solutions that meet their needs. 

Owner-Occupied Repair Program (OORP):

However long a home has been owned, it is a major investment for its owner as well as a source of pride and stability.

To qualify, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

  • Own or buying the home to be repaired and live there for the years necessary for the loan to be forgiven
  • Have a clear title to the home
  • Have annual income that is 80% or less of the San Antonio area’s average median income ($70,200 and below for a family of four)
  • The home must be a single-family home located in Census Tracts 1703 or 1709 (see map here)
  • The home must meet extenuating circumstances
  • The home must be in Bexar County
  • The homeowner must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
  • The property repairs must address safety, health, accessibility, and/or code compliance issues

For questions, contact us at- 210-354-2400.

We can also be reached by our email which you can find here.

For more information regarding the program, you can also message us here.

Visit us in in person at:

2300 W Commerce St Ste #302, San Antonio, Texas 78207

Reduced cost.

Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

The office for Our Casas' Home Repair Program will be closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Haydee Musatto Send email
(210) 354-2400
Jessica Lopez Send email
(210) 354-2400
Updated within the last 1 month.