October 23, 2014
On Thursday October 23rd Retired Sergeant First Class William Chasten, a disabled military veteran, received a mortgage-free home in El Paso. Mr. Chasten 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 for disabled veterans.
Bank of America generously donated the home, in partnership with the National Community Stabilization Trust. TSAHC partnered with El Paso nonprofit El Paso Collaborative for Community and Economic Development (EPC) to perform the necessary repairs on the home and connect Mr. Chasten to the program.
SFC Chasten is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served honorably for nearly 20 years. He completed several tours of duty during his service, including tours in Germany, South Korea, and Iraq. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1998. Following his discharge, he suffered a series of illnesses that left him unable to work. Mr. Chasten always wanted to own a home, but was afraid his dream would never come true.
Pictured above: SFC William Chasten (front row, center) and his mother Ann Verdugo-Chasten (front row, fourth from left)
pose in front of his new home with U.S. Congressman Beto O'Rourke (back row, third from left), State Representative Joe Moody
(front row, second from right), David Stout representing State Senator Jose Rodriguez's office (back row, fourth from right),
TSAHC President David Long (back row, second from left), and representatives from Bank of America.