Casita Linda, A. C.

Casita Linda’s process of selecting a family to build a home for (gratis) in San Miguel de Allende is as important as the construction of the home. On staff is a Director of Social Services, a Mexican citizen that has decades of experience in all levels of public and private services for the poor. The Director and a designated Board representative survey a map of all the surrounding neighborhoods/barrios/ejidos that encompass San Miguel de Allende. These properties were formed after the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900’s when huge tracts of land were divided into grids for the poor families that worked the land.

Casita Linda’s team goes into these ejidos, and meets with the elected representative/delegado. They determine the number of people who live in shelters of found materials, and if these families own the small lots that they live on. Casita Linda informs these families that there will be a thorough investigation and interview process to determine who will be selected for a free home. Casita Linda has a very detailed criterion that these families must initially meet to be considered by the Board of Directors. The standard that must be met for selection is:

1. Each family must have verifiable documents of land ownership.
2. The families’ income levels are investigated and verified to assure that they are living in extreme poverty (usually below defined World Bank levels).
3. The families are investigated to insure that there is no history of violence.
4. The families must prove that all children are attending school.
5. The families must agree to assist in the construction of their own home and other Casita Linda homes.
6. Photos are taken of each family’s current living conditions to demonstrate their need.  

This information for each prospective family is compiled in a report that lists each member’s age, sex, and relationship. The report is presented to the Casita Linda Board of Directors at their monthly meeting for discussion and approval. If a family is selected, the construction of the home is begun within a few weeks. The home takes four weeks to build. A dedication ceremony is done for each home/family and a Casita Linda plaque is presented and attached to the home with their family name on it.

The dedication of the home is not the end of Casita Linda’s involvement with the selected family.  Workshops and programs are provided on family planning, health, nutrition, education, employment opportunities, and home maintenance. Over five hundred people were provided comfortable, decent homes and Casita Linda’s social services thanks to the contributions from groups and individuals. This is all being accomplished for only $6,500 USD per home.