SAN ANTONIO -- Some residents in the troubled west-side subdivision of Mirasol Homes are struggling to purchase their own homes, including one woman who said she'd either like her money back or be able to secure a home loan.

Patricia Cabrera said she's paid about $20,000 into the San Antonio Housing Authority's capital accumulation account for the past five years and is a part of the housing authority's lease purchase program.

Under the lease agreement with SAHA, Cabrera is able to use the money she's paid toward purchasing the house she's supposed to be using -- it's been nearly two years since she's been able to live inside because of recurring mold issues like many Mirasol homes -- or she can use the funds to purchase another home elsewhere.

The problem, Cabrera said, is securing a home loan in this struggling economy.

"I would say it's probably going to be a challenege for most of my families out here," said Deborah Flach, chief operating officer of SAHA.

SAHA said it would work with Cabrera and other people in the lease purchase program try and secure financing, but the problem is an impending deadline at the end of January 2009. The lease purchase program expires, and residents would forfeit any money they accumulated. SAHA has asked the government to extend the deadline by 18 months in an effort to help more families secure financing, Flach said.