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Marco "Tony" Reyes,
Executive Director
10445 West B Street
P.O. Box 2844
San Luis, AZ 85349
Phone: (928) 627-8559
Fax: (928) 627-9026
comite@aol.com
Counties Served: Yuma
Incorporated: 1981
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Photos by Tom Brownold
STRATEGIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 Affordable Homes
Over fifty percent of all
new housing in south Yuma County has been developed by Comite de Bien Estar (Comite) on lots
financed by it. Since its first subdivision in 1981, Comite has completed six more subdivisions,
bringing the total number of single-family lots developed to 2,607. The most recent subdivision,
Bien Estar Estates 7, contains three distinct types of development. The first is self-help housing,
with 135 single-family homes set on 30 acres; the second is 38 acres of 183 developed lots;
Cesar Chavez Elementary School was developed on 8 acres; the remaining 4 acres are slated for
future development. Another 133 acres are under development as Bien Estar Estates 8A and 8B.
Comite also develops affordable
apartments, such as Bien Estar Apartments, Phase I, 92 family apartments financed with federal
Low Income Housing Tax Credits; Phase II, 64 family apartments were under construction in October 2004.
To complement its development
activities, Comite established the Bien Estar Housing Resource Center (HRC) in July 1999 to act
as a one-stop housing resource for residents. With funding from U.S. HUD Rural Housing and Economic
Development grants, it helps families finance their homes, providing construction loans, forgivable
loans, closing cost grants and also offers homebuyer counseling. With financing from USDA Rural
Development, Comite provides technical assistance to families building self-help homes; in addition
to sweat equity, families also receive Affordable Homes Program subsidies from the Federal Home Loan
Bank. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are managed for families through partnerships with
several agencies resulting in financial literacy and another source for down payment assistance.
Community
Facilities and Services
In February 2000, Comite
opened "Las Casitas para Niños" Day Care Center assisting 36 children and their parents. It is
the first day care center in San Luis. Bien Estar Child Development Center funded by USDA opened
in November 2004 to provide care for 75 children. Comite also provides direct services at its
Comite de Bien Estar Community Hall, including homeownership training, English as a Second Language
classes, childcare training, and youth recreation. This center is also home to monthly
community meetings and cultural programs.
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