At Ladera Living, we believe homes are more than four walls, they’re comfort, security, community, and hope for the future. On June 11, 2026, we are honored to begin a very special journey alongside Building Homes for Heroes as we officially break ground on a mortgage-free home for Army Staff Sergeant Edwin Santiago and his wife, Lydia, at Ladera Little Elm.
This groundbreaking ceremony marks more than the start of construction. It represents gratitude, service, and a commitment to honoring a veteran who has dedicated his life to protecting our country.
Honoring a Hero
Army Staff Sergeant Edwin Santiago served our country honorably for more than 20 years, including two deployments to Iraq. During his military service, he faced life-threatening situations while supporting transportation and logistics operations overseas. In 2004, an IED struck his convoy, leaving him with lasting physical injuries. Over time, he also experienced the effects of PTSD and later suffered a stroke while assisting fellow veterans at the Tampa VA.
Despite these challenges, Staff Sergeant Santiago’s story is one of resilience, strength, and continued service to others. His dedication to supporting fellow soldiers and veterans reflects the very spirit of sacrifice and community that this partnership seeks to honor.
Now, together with Building Homes for Heroes, we have the privilege of helping provide Edwin and Lydia with a new beginning in Little Elm, Texas.
A Home Built with Purpose
The Santiago family’s new home will be built inside our gated Ladera Little Elm 55+ community and will feature the Casina floor plan — a thoughtfully designed home offering approximately 2,231 square feet, two bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a two-car garage.
This project is especially meaningful for our team because several members of Ladera’s leadership and construction staff are veterans themselves. Construction Manager Alex Stone and Vice President of Operations Cash Grnwalt both served in the United States Army and understand firsthand the sacrifices made by military families. Their involvement makes this project deeply personal and a true continuation of service beyond the uniform.
A Community Effort
One of the most inspiring parts of this journey is seeing the community come together to support the Santiago family. Vendors, suppliers, trade partners, homeowners, and neighbors are already stepping forward with donations, services, and encouragement to help make this dream possible.
Throughout construction, there will be opportunities for the community to participate in meaningful moments, including our future “Walls of Honor” initiative. Members of the public will be invited to visit one of our Ladera Living sales offices and write notes of encouragement, appreciation, and support for the Santiago family on special stickers provided by our team. These heartfelt messages will then be affixed to the frame of the home during construction, creating a powerful symbol of community, gratitude, and support that will forever be part of the home itself.
This home will stand as a lasting reminder of what can happen when people unite around gratitude, generosity, and service.
About Building Homes for Heroes
Building Homes for Heroes is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to building and gifting mortgage-free homes to injured veterans and their families. Since 2006, the organization has gifted more than 450 homes across 36 states and continues to rebuild lives through housing and support services.
Their mission aligns beautifully with Ladera Living’s commitment to creating communities centered around connection, purpose, and caring for others.
Join Us in Supporting the Santiago Family
We invite our homeowners, partners, and community members to join us in supporting this meaningful mission. Donations can be made directly to the Building Homes for Heroes campaign benefiting Army Staff Sergeant Edwin Santiago and his family here:
Help Us Build a Home for Army Staff Sergeant Edwin Santiago
Together, we are building more than a home. We are building hope, stability, and a future filled with possibility for a deserving American hero and his family.
Join Us for the Groundbreaking Ceremony
We invite our homeowners, partners, neighbors, and community members to join us on Thursday, June 11, 2026, as we officially break ground on the future home of Army Staff Sergeant Edwin Santiago and his wife, Lydia, at Ladera Little Elm.
This special event will celebrate the beginning of a meaningful partnership between Ladera Living and Building Homes for Heroes and honor a veteran whose service and sacrifice have made a lasting impact.
Guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance here:
We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate this incredible milestone and show our support for the Santiago family.