Housing Department revokes home reconstructions in Toa Alta, mayor denounces

Mayor of Toa Alta Clemente “Chito” Agosto

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Department of Housing has revoked reconstruction approvals for several families in the Villa Esperanza community, prompting residents and Mayor Clemente “Chito” Agosto to demand that the agency restore the aid and apply its criteria consistently across all cases.

Neighbors reported that the agency withdrew their CDBG‑MIT reconstruction approvals citing the absence of electrical service from LUMA Energy — even though other homes in the same community, also without electrical infrastructure, have already been demolished, rebuilt, or are undergoing construction, according to a city statement.

“These families qualified. They met every requirement, submitted their documents, and the program itself approved the reconstruction of their homes,” Agosto said. “I am not going to allow them now, with a technicality, to take away what they were promised. All the residents of this community who are under the same conditions need their housing and they have to be qualified as well.”

According to documentation gathered by residents, three applicants initially received denials in September 2024 due to lack of property title, while other families in similar circumstances were approved. After securing ownership and submitting reconsiderations, their cases advanced: soil tests were completed, architectural plans were drafted, and one resident received a formal approval of $219,000 to rebuild a four‑bedroom home. In April, she even selected the model of the house.

The process shifted abruptly when two residents received letters revoking their reconstruction approvals because the community lacks LUMA electrical service. Yet, residents noted that the program has already relocated families and rebuilt homes under the same conditions.

“If the absence of electrical infrastructure prevents rebuilding, that criterion has to be applied uniformly,” Agosto said. “But the solution can never be to take away aid from those who have already qualified. It must be extended to those who need it and meet the same requirements. These working families deserve to have their home, and as mayor I will be at the forefront of this claim until each one has a safe place to live.”

Mariam López, one of the affected residents, said the revocation contradicts the program’s own actions.

“We met every requirement, got the documents, went through the soil tests and chose the model of the house. It is not fair that now they exclude us with a criterion that was not applied to our own neighbors,” López said.

She submitted a reconsideration with photographs, case numbers, and evidence of nearby homes approved or rebuilt. After reviewing the materials, a program manager visited the community, took down case numbers, and acknowledged that the pattern described by residents — approvals granted “every other house” — warranted investigation.

Families are requesting an immediate suspension of all revocations until a full review of individual and community files is completed. They also seek disclosure of the criteria used to approve, deny, or convert reconstruction cases into vouchers; a written explanation from Housing regarding differing determinations for comparable properties; an official response from LUMA on its infrastructure plans; and an interagency meeting with residents to establish a uniform solution.