Just outside the city limits of Mission, Texas — beyond the subdivisions and commercial corridors — the rural stretches of Hidalgo County tell a different story. In these quieter, unincorporated areas, many longtime residents live in manufactured homes that have weathered time, storms, and the financial strain of do-it-yourself maintenance.

For Xochitl Zarate, a longtime resident of one such area, a small loan brought a big transformation.

Xochitl has lived in her mobile home for 25 years, ever since she purchased it in 2000 and moved from nearby Edinburg. She works in McAllen as a Rehab Coordinator for Affordable Homes of South Texas, a nonprofit that helps families improve their living conditions. But when a hurricane in 2023 swept through the region, her own home was hit hard — and she suddenly found herself needing the same kind of support she provides to others.

Water came in through the roof during the storm and soaked the wood flooring beneath her feet. For years, she’d been slowly replacing carpet due to her son’s allergies, but now the storm damage made the need urgent.

“I had to replace parts of the floor that soaked up water,” she said. “That became the most urgent repair.”

She turned to the Home Improvement Loan Program at Communities Unlimited (CU), a low-interest loan program designed specifically for homeowners in rural Arkansas and South Texas who may not qualify for traditional financing. The program provides funding for home repairs — up to $2,500 in select South Texas counties, including Hidalgo, and up to $3,500 for eligible residents in Arkansas.

Xochitl heard about the loan program through her job and decided to apply — even though she had concerns about her credit. The process was simple and she was approved without issue.

“I was really happy about that,” she said. “It was such a relief to be able to fix my home with a low-interest loan and a manageable monthly payment.”

With the loan funds, she completely redid the flooring throughout her mobile home — three bedrooms, two bathrooms, the kitchen, living room, and hallway — using water-resistant, slip-resistant luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which gives the home a cleaner, more modern look. She also replaced a malfunctioning toilet, recharged her mini-split air conditioner, and repainted rooms where the ceiling had darkened from storm-related water damage.

“It looks beautiful,” she said. “The house looks bigger and cleaner.”

The loan funds were deposited within 10 days, and Xochitl took her time selecting a reputable contractor — someone she trusted through her professional network. The flooring alone took about nine days to complete.

For residents in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties in South Texas, programs like CU’s can be life-changing. Manufactured homes are common in the area, and financing for repairs is often difficult to secure. Insurance payouts rarely cover the full cost of storm repairs, and many homeowners end up paying out of pocket or delaying projects for years.

Xochitl knows that struggle firsthand. And through her work, she sees it in others, too.

“A lot of people don’t know these kinds of programs exist,” she said. “Before I worked where I do now, I didn’t know either. I was always trying to save up or using my tax return to make repairs.”

Now, she’s spreading the word. She’s recommended CU’s program to neighbors and friends who are struggling with repairs in homes they’ve worked hard to maintain.

“The monthly payment is the biggest draw,” she said. “It’s affordable. Even though the loan maxes out at $2,500 (for South Texas residents), it still makes a big difference.”

Xochitl said she’s grateful for the opportunity to make her home safe and livable again.