Lubbock Nonprofit's Mission is Homeownership

Jose Luis and Jose Manuel Ramirez are proud owners of a new three-bedroom home.

HUD celebrated the last week of Homeownership month by recognizing Guadalupe Economic Services Corporation (GESC), a nonprofit organization based in Lubbock, Texas. GESC provides housing to low and very low-income individuals, and also to immigrant families that have the resources to purchase a home but are unfamiliar with real estate or financial transactions.

In 1958, Richard Lopez guided the corporation to its present role in the community. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its community services. The initial priorities were housing and providing food through USDA. Today's mission includes comprehensive housing counseling; an FHA single-family lease/purchase program; homeless assistance; and emergency winterization.

So far this year, GESC has helped thirty minority families realize the beauty of the American Dream through FHA-financed homeownership. GESC has acquired 100 lots within the city for construction of affordable homes in the $60, 000 to $85,000 price range. Currently, they have ten potential applicants targeted for homeownership.