April 16, 2014
On Wednesday, April 16, 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.
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