ACT-VET Success Stories

Through our partnership with Bank of America and the National Community Stabilization Trust, TSAHC donated homes to disabled veterans and families of first-responders. Below are stories of those whose lives were changed with a home donation. This program is no longer active. 

  • Killeen, Texas

    On Thursday, August 13, 2015, TSAHC joined Bank of America and NeighborWorks Waco in donating a mortgage-free home to a disabled military veteran. This home will provide stability to the family and ample space for the veteran to raise her daughter.  

    Bank of America generously donated the home to TSAHC, in coordination with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC partnered with NeighborWorks Waco to ensure the necessary repairs on the home were done prior to transferring it to the deserving veteran.  

    At the home donation ceremony, City of Killeen Mayor Pro Tem Jose Segarra presented the family with a City of Killeen Proclamation, and Ralph Gauer, District Coordinator for Texas State Senator Troy Fraser, honored the family with a Proclamation from the Texas Senate.

  • Greenville, Texas

    On Tuesday, June 30, 2015, former Marine Sgt. Dereck W. Evans, a disabled military veteran, received a mortgage-free home in Greenville, Texas. Mr. Evans is a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Marines, where he served honorably from 2007 until 2011. This home will provide the opportunity for Mr. Evans to focus on his future which includes getting married, finishing college, and writing a novel about his experiences.  

    Bank of America generously donated the home to Tarrant County Housing Partnership, in coordination with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC and Brooke Community Development partnered with Tarrant County Housing Partnership to ensure the necessary repairs on the home were done prior to transferring it to Mr. Evans. 

  • Pearland, Texas

    On Friday, April 10, 2015, former Specialist Joseph Cummings, a disabled military veteran, received a mortgage-free home in Pearland, Texas. Mr. Cummings is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served honorably from 1970 until 1976. This home will provide stability for Mr. Cummings and allow him to devote his time to what he cares about most - his faith, his family, and his well-being.  

    Bank of America generously donated the home to TSAHC, in partnership with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC partnered with Houston area nonprofit WOMAN, Inc. to perform the necessary repairs on the home and connect Mr. Cummings to the program.   

    Click here for a local news story on the event.

    Pictured from left to right: Sally Powell Schall, National Community Stabilization Trust; Robert Jones, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation; Michaelle Wormly, WOMAN Inc.; Bobby Moore, Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Seated: Specialist Joseph Cummings. 

  • Kingwood, Texas

    On Tuesday, December 16, 2014, former Private First Class Arthur Thomas, a disabled military veteran, and his wife Charlene received a mortgage-free home in the Kingwood neighborhood of Houston. During his six years of service, Mr. Thomas completed two tours of duty, both in South Korea.  He contracted a service-related illness while in South Korea, which has since worsened.  After his discharge he suffered a severe injury that prevented him from being able to work.  Mrs. Thomas is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, where she served honorably for two years and completed a tour of duty in Germany.   

    Bank of America generously donated the home, in partnership with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC partnered with Houston area nonprofit WOMAN, Inc. to perform the necessary repairs on the home and connect the Thomas family to the program.   

  • El Paso, Texas

    On Thursday, October 23, 2014, retired Sergeant First Class William Chasten, a disabled military veteran, received a mortgage-free home in El Paso. Mr. Chasten served honorably for 20 years and is the latest veteran to benefit from TSAHC's Affordable Communities of Texas-Veterans Housing Initiative (ACT-VET). TSAHC's ACT-VET program is part of a nationwide, multi-partner initiative whose purpose is to rehabilitate vacant homes to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to disabled veterans.

    Bank of America generously donated the home in partnership with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC partnered with the nonprofit El Paso Collaborative for Community and Economic Development to perform the necessary repairs on the home and connect Mr. Chasten to the program.

  • Weslaco, Texas

    On Wednesday, June 4, 2014, TSAHC joined Bank of America and Motivation, Education and Training, Inc. (MET) to donate a home to Patricia Romero Horner, a disabled U.S. Military Veteran, in Weslaco, Texas. Retired Staff Sergeant Horner is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, where she served honorably from 1978 to 1987.

    Bank of America generously donated the home, in partnership with the National Community Stabilization Trust.  TSAHC partnered with MET to perform the necessary repairs on the home and connect Ms. Horner to the program.

    Mr. Horner received numerous awards during her military service including the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.  In 1987, she was honorably discharged from the military after suffering a service-related disability.  Her disability left her unable to work and unable to pursue her goal of becoming a police officer.  

    "I can't believe I will finally have a home to call my own," said Retired Staff Sergeant Horner.  "I always dreamed of being a homeowner but didn't think it would be possible. I want to thank everyone who helped turn my dream into a reality."

    Click here or here for local stories on the event. 

    Pictured left to right: TSAHC President David Long; Liliana Trevino, Bank of America Banking Center Manager; Veteran and new homeowner Patricia Romero Horner; State Senator Eddie Lucio; Beatriz Farias, MET Housing Services Coordinator; and Weslaco Mayor David Suarez. 

  • McAllen, Texas

    On Wednesday, April 16, 2014, Eric Horton, a U.S. Military Veteran, and his family received a mortgage-free home in McAllen, Texas. The Horton family is the latest family to benefit from TSAHC's Affordable Communities of Texas- Veterans Housing Initiative (ACT-VET). TSAHC's ACT-VET program is part of a nationwide initiative to provide renovated foreclosed properties to disabled veterans, first responders and their families.

    Bank of America generously donated the home to TSAHC in partnership with the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST). TSAHC partnered with Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. (AHSTI), a local nonprofit developer that performed necessary repairs on the home and connected the Hortons to the program. 

    Retired Corporal Eric Horton is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served honorably from 2002 to 2009. Mr. Horton was honorably discharged after suffering a traumatic brain injury in Iraq due to an explosion. The injuries he sustained in Iraq left him fully disabled. “This home is a dream come true for our family,” said Mr. Horton. “We look forward to creating new memories in this house with the peace of mind of knowing our son has a safe place to play and grow.  We want to thank everyone who helped make this gift possible.”

    The Hortons were welcomed to their new home with a celebration hosted by employees of Bank of America, NCST, TSAHC and AHSTI and public officials from McAllen.

    Pictured left to right: Liliana Trevino, Bank of America Banking Center Manager; Carlos Gutierrez, Legislative Aide to State Senator Chuy Hinojosa; Angel Bernal, younger brother of Adriana Zaleta; TSAHC Board Member Alex Meade; Veteran and new homeowner Eric Horton; State Rep. Bobby Guerra;  Eric Horton's partner Adriana Zaleta; Deshawn Horton, Eric and Adriana's son; Rosario Monroy, Adriana Zaleta's mother; Carlos Alcazar, Director of Operations and Technology at NCST; Angelica Bernal, Adriana Zaleta's younger sister; and Leslie Horton, Eric Horton's sister.

  • Bellville, Texas

    On Thursday, March 20, 2014, Terry Johnson, a disabled U.S. Military Veteran, and his wife Donna moved into their new mortgage-free home in Bellville, Texas. The Johnsons are the latest family to benefit from TSAHC's Affordable Communities of Texas Veterans Housing Initiative (ACT-VET). TSAHC's ACT-VET program is part of a nationwide initiative of Bank of America to provide renovated foreclosed properties to disabled veterans, first responders and their families. The Johnsons were welcomed to their new home with a celebration hosted by employees of Bank of America, NCST, Brooke Community Development and TSAHC and public officials from Bellville.

    “This home is the best gift we have ever received,” said Terry Johnson, 64. “Owning a home has always been a dream for my family but we never thought it could be a reality. This home will make it possible to invite my wife’s daughter, who has a disability, to come live with us. We can’t wait to get to know our neighbors and the entire Bellville community, and we are so thankful to everyone who has helped make this dream a reality.”

    For more information on the celebration event, please click here for the press release.

    Pictured left to right: Bellville Alderwoman Donna Jacob, TSAHC Board Chair Bob Jones, State Representative Lois Kolkhorst, homeowner and veteran Terry Johnson, homeowner Donna Johnson, homeowners' daughter Demi Mcvicar, Bellville Mayor Joe Ed Lynn, Bellville Alderman Doug Lottridge, homeowners' son Dillon Mcvicar and Bellville Alderman Don Allphin. 

  • Waco, Texas

    On August 27, 2013, TSAHC joined Bank of America, NeighborWorks Waco, and Brooke Community Development in donating a home to Donna Beseda, the widow of a first responder killed in a West, Texas explosion. Ms. Beseda lost her husband of 13 years, Doug Snokhous, on April 17, 2013 when as, a volunteer fire fighter in West, Texas, he responded to the West Fertilizer Co. fire and was killed when the plant exploded. Ms. Beseda and her late husband’s place of residence sustained severe damage in the explosion which left Ms. Beseda searching for a new place to live.

    Bank of America generously donated the home to TSAHC, in coordination with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC then partnered with NeighborWorks Waco and Brooke Community Development to perform necessary repairs and connect Ms. Beseda to the program.

    "The last several months have been very sad and challenging for me," said Ms. Beseda. "Losing my loving husband has been very difficult.  Two days after his death I experienced an injury that has prevented me from being able to work.  Receiving this home is a blessing and an opportunity for a fresh start."

    Pictured from left to right: Larry Groth, Waco City Manager; Roy Nash, NeighborWorks Waco Executive Director; Jimmy Hill, Bank of America Banking Center Manager; Donna Beseda; Bill Dietz, TSAHC Board Vice-Chair; and Malcolm Duncan, Mayor of the City of Waco.

  • Hutchins, Texas

    On Saturday, May 18, 2013, TSAHC joined Bank of America, National Community Stabilization Trust, and Builders of Hope CDC in donating a home to retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Moises Solorio, a decorated, disabled Veteran. Mr. Solorio, a member of the Dallas community, served two tours of duty in the Iraq War and is raising two young children on his own. This is Mr. Solorio’s first home.

    Bank of America generously donated the home to TSAHC, in coordination with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC partnered with Builders of Hope CDC to ensure the necessary repairs on the home were done prior to transferring it to the deserving veteran.  

    “This home is a dream that has come true,” said Moises Solorio. “I can’t thank Bank of America, NCST, TSAHC, and Builders of Hope enough for the dedication and hard work of hundreds to make this home a possibility. It is truly a gift for me and my family.” 

    Pictured from left to right: David Long, TSAHC President; Todd Pawlinski, Senior Vice President of Operations for NCST; Moises Solorio; and Norman Henry, President of Builders of Hope CDC.