San Juan housing authority to build seven duplex cottages with $2 million state grant

The San Juan Housing Authority announced it has received a $2 million Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program (DRRP) grant from the Texas General Land Office to construct the San Juan Cottages, a new affordable-housing community comprising seven duplexes that will provide 14 two-bedroom units.

"My name is Bob. I'm the executive director here at the housing authority," said Bob Gapsa, who introduced board members and staff and described the award as a long-sought opportunity. He said seven lots the authority already owned made the project feasible without a local match.

Commissioner Melissa Gonzalez said the project represents the first housing development from the authority in decades and invited the public to a groundbreaking adjacent to the municipal park at 503 West 83, scheduled the following morning. "We're beyond excited," she said, noting the project aims to provide quality housing opportunities for 14 families.

An architect for the project presented preliminary details and confirmed the scope: seven duplex units designed for family occupancy. Housing authority staff said the grant covers the construction costs identified in their preliminary plan and that no additional local funding is required for the units described.

The commission received the presentation and offered congratulations; there was no formal vote recorded for the presentation itself. Housing authority officials asked community members and elected leaders to attend the groundbreaking and thanked staff and the General Land Office for the award.

The next public step for the project is the scheduled groundbreaking event and subsequent permitting and construction activities; the housing authority said it will keep the commission informed as the project moves forward.