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When Christina Guerra and Michelle Douthitt lost their husbands within months of each other in 2012, they transformed personal tragedy into an innovative housing solution. Together with longtime friend Muriel Lanford, they created a $1.2 million communal compound that reimagines aging in place.
The trio purchased five acres in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, for $175,000 and enlisted local architect Felix Ziga to design their shared vision, according to a report issued by Business Insider. The result, completed in 2017, includes a 2,378-square-foot main house with private wings for the sisters and a separate 1,902-square-foot home for Lanford.
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“A lot of people gave us strange looks when we talked about our plan,” says Guerra, a retired Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent. “I guess they thought we would implode.”
Each woman contributed equally to the project through proceeds from selling their previous homes. Despite initial skepticism from banks about approving a three-person mortgage, they secured financing through a general partnership structure.
The compound, called Tierra de Dios (Land of God), has extensive accessibility considerations. Zero-step entries, wheelchair-accessible spaces and strategically placed grab bars allow for aging in place. An observation tower offers woodland views while connecting walkways foster community without sacrificing privacy.
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“I used to work in the ER and we saw countless elderly patients who had fallen at home, only to be found days later because their children couldn’t check in,” notes Lanford, 68, a retired nurse. “Now, I have peace of mind.”
The women divide responsibilities according to their strengths. Lanford handles maintenance and finances, Guerra negotiates with vendors and occasionally cooks, while Lanford and Douthitt tend the gardens. Monthly utilities average $30 per person for water and up to $100 each for electricity during peak summer months.
