By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Residents of the San Benito Housing Authority’s La Hermosa community can now choose between cooling and heating as they please, thanks to the federal government.
At an official A/C unveiling last Friday, May 29, SBHA leaders said that for decades, La Hermosa families lived without central air — relying on open screen doors, fans, and window units to get through the summer heat. Residents and their visitors also had to find ways to stay warm during the winter.
SBHA leaders said residents of 44 units at La Hermosa, located at 1155 McCullough, now have a choice that is literally at the center of their living space.
SBHA Executive Director Maricela Aguilar said they worked with Morales Construction to install central air conditioning at a cost of $410,000.
According to the City of San Benito, the funds were drawn from the San Benito Housing Authority’s federal Capital Fund, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates each year to local housing authorities for repairs and upgrades.
“It’s a federal pot, not city tax dollars,” said Assistant City Manager Diana Garza.
SBHA leaders said this latest endeavor here brings greater comfort, dignity, and quality of life to every resident.
They especially thanked the residents of La Hermosa for their patience and trust throughout this journey.
“Why is that important to us? When these units were built, they were constructed without air conditioning,” Executive Director Aguilar said. “Unlike our other properties, La Hermosa was unique in that it didn’t have A/C.”
In addition to La Hermosa, San Benito’s other housing communities include Vista Park, Palmville Homes, and Stone Village.
Aguilar said that before she passed, her mother lived in La Hermosa.
“When I would visit my mother, I would tell her, ‘Mom, it’s so hot,’ and she would say she was used to it,” Aguilar said of the encounter. “Each time I would visit, she wouldn’t have the window unit on. She was alive to see this come to fruition. I’m so grateful that we were able to give back to the community through the efforts of several partners.”
Judy Medina, La Hermosa’s manager, said that many residents had window units in their living quarters, but the cost of electricity was a concern for many.
“We know that window units use much more energy than central air, so we hope they notice the difference,” Medina said at the reception.
Medina said the idea of having central air was a hot topic throughout the 1990s.
SBHA board members and managers walked the property and often heard residents’ concerns.
“We couldn’t believe that residents here didn’t have A/Cs when their window units wouldn’t work; the question was how they could not, and how they would do it when it was cold,” Medina said. “It was mentioned a few years back, and we needed to get serious about this and look for ways to secure funding.”
Up to eight companies were considered after the funds were allocated, but ultimately it was decided that Morales Construction would receive the project.
Commissioner Ricardo Perez, Jr., one of two elected officials on the SBHA Board of Directors, attended the reception.
“From my perspective, it’s not really the residents’ fault that they lacked air conditioning,” Commissioner Perez said.
Years ago, he donated a window unit to a resident in need, so he knew the issue was ongoing and dated to the 1980s.
The only other elected official present was San Benito Mayor Pedro A. Galvan.
The SBHA main office is at 1400 North Reagan. To contact the SBHA, call 956-399-7501.