news/blog

On Monday, September 23rd, 2024, Tropicana Properties welcomed Richard Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to El Paso as part of a collaborative initiative between HUD and the National Apartment Association (NAA). This visit marked an important stop on a nationwide roadshow celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Act, an essential piece of legislation focused on improving access to affordable housing.

Tropicana Properties’ Pathway to Homeownership Program was a key highlight of Mr. Monocchio’s visit. Designed to help families move from renting to homeownership, this program is a testament to Tropicana’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable housing and creating opportunities for personal wealth-building in the El Paso community.

At Tropicana Properties’ corporate office, Mr. Monocchio met with Demetrio Jimenez, President and CEO of Tropicana Properties, and Randy Bowling, President and CEO of Tropicana Homes. Together, they discussed Tropicana’s innovative approach to housing and the successful outcomes of the Pathway to Homeownership program. This initiative provides Tropicana renters with vital resources such as free Homebuyer Workshops, credit repair assistance, and guidance on available Zero-Down Payment assistance programs, empowering them to become homeowners.

A special moment during the visit was a Meet and Greet with local families who have successfully transitioned from renters to homeowners through Tropicana’s program. Karina Aguirre and Jose Bustos, both proud new homeowners, shared their individual experiences of working with Tropicana. For Karina, Tropicana’s housing solutions provided the ideal home for her growing family, and the program helped her take the next step into homeownership. Jose Bustos echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the guidance and support he received from Tropicana Homes in fulfilling his dream of buying a home.

Following the Meet and Greet, the delegation, including representatives from The Housing Authority of El Paso and The El Paso Apartment Association, gathered at the historic Blue Flame Building for a roundtable discussion. This meeting offered an opportunity to explore collaborative strategies for enhancing housing opportunities in El Paso, focusing on how public and private partnerships can continue to expand housing access across the region.

Tropicana’s efforts over the last 20 years, from building affordable single-family homes to managing multi-family housing, have had a lasting impact on El Paso’s housing landscape. The Pathway to Homeownership Program continues this legacy by not only offering renters access to affordable housing but also giving them the tools and resources to achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

As Mr. Monocchio’s visit to El Paso concluded, he commended Tropicana’s dedication to creating opportunities for El Paso families, noting that programs like the Pathway to Homeownership are essential in strengthening communities and promoting long-term housing security.

The visit underscores the importance of local collaboration in making affordable housing a reality, and Tropicana Properties stays at the forefront of this mission.