Rochester has been my home for over 25 years. I wasn’t born here. I didn’t grow up here, but I love this place, and it is my home and that of my children.
I was born in Venezuela and spent the majority of my childhood there. I was fortunate to grow up in a family that modeled compassion and respect for all people. As a very talented and successful thoracic surgeon, my father modeled compassion and fairness. He always went out of his way to openly treat everyone well and show appreciation for their contributions.
When it came time to go to college, I wanted to chart my own course. After attending school in Rochester and Duluth, I jumped at the chance to return to Rochester as a licensed architect. Coming back here not only offered professional opportunities, but also the chance to grow in a dynamic and diverse city. People from all over the world have made Rochester their home and are eager and willing to get involved in this community.
I quickly saw the value of volunteering and contributing to various nonprofits with my time and talents. One of the relationships I built early on was with First Homes. Before I was ever on the board of First Homes or a Rochester Area Foundation Trustee, First Homes staff brought me a concept. They wanted to build condominium units where a blighted, vacant house was located in the Kutzky Park neighborhood.
Since then, I have continued to work with First Homes and Rochester Area Foundation to address the need for affordable housing in a number of different capacities. I believe that affordable housing is a key ingredient for building a stable foundation for our community.
I am proud that part of my legacy in Rochester is for supporting the work of First Homes and Rochester Area Foundation in the development of sustainable solutions to home affordability. Working towards the goal that everyone who calls Rochester home has a safe and dignified home.
Jose served as the architect for Weigel Place – named to honor long-time First Homes Chair and supporter, Karel Weigel. Jose’s talents are on full display with Weigel Place; he did a wonderful job designing it to blend in with the historic neighborhood.
For many of us, it is difficult to remember the Kutzky Park neighborhood as it was prior to the concerted rehabilitation effort made by First Homes.
When Weigel Place was completed, former Police Chief Roger Peterson commented that the previous property was frequently the subject of police attention and a disproportionate number of calls for service – many for ongoing criminal activity. Chief Peterson noted that revitalizing the property improved that situation and resulted in not just a better property, but a better neighborhood.
Two of the units in Weigel Place are part of the First Homes Community Land Trust, the signature program of First Homes. Properties in the community land trust – there are currently 208 of them – are purchased by qualified buyers with traditional mortgages, while First Homes retains the ownership of the land itself.
This reduces the cost to the buyer and ensures the properties remain affordable in perpetuity. Without the Community Land Trust the dream of home ownership for many low to moderate income families would be just that – a dream.
For 20 years, First Homes has been strengthening neighborhoods and communities, one family at a time.
With your investments, and the expertise of people like Jose, we have built, financed, or rehabilitated over 800 units of workforce-priced housing.
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