This article was written by Deborah Schagen, iACT’s Hands on Housing Program Director
Beatrice and her husband Pedro have called this house their home for 45 years now, since they were first married. Proudly, they tell us about their seven children, their eighteen grandchildren, and their nineteen great-grandchildren. There is sadness in Beatrice’s voice when she talks about her favorite memories of the neighborhood: the children playing in the park that used to be across the street, before the condos came. Their neighborhood has seen more changes than most east Austin neighborhoods over the years: the area explodes with SXSW venues, a metro rail station, bars, coffee houses, and apartments galore, and even a soon-to-be Target.
The two of them try their best to maintain their own sense of normalcy amidst the constant changes. Three doors down is her brother’s place, he inherited it from their father when he passed. A pen full of chickens and a goat take up the majority of their small back yard. Prior to retirement, Pedro worked as a custodian for AISD, and Beatrice worked for the IRS. Their favorite post-retirement hobby is playing Bingo together, wherever and whenever they get the chance.
When we first met Beatrice and Pedro they were looking for some help with their electrical outlets. Many of the outlets in the home were non-functional, including the ones that the AC window units plugged into. When we arrived at the home for the assessment we found there was much more help to be offered. Their roof was in need of repair, and there was a leak under the kitchen sink that had rotted out the flooring and subflooring under the cabinets. We ended up giving them a full kitchen makeover. In the fall, a team of Hands on Housing volunteers will give the home a fresh coat of paint. Beatrice has chosen a light green for the body, and a dark green for the trim. The two of them are looking forward to many more years of memories in their little east Austin home. Getting to know them has been a pleasure and a treat for the Hands on Housing staff, contractors, and volunteers.
