PRess releases

San Juan, Puerto Rico (July 17, 2026) – Following the reported fire in the Juana Matos community of Cataño, the Department of Housing immediately activated its response protocol to address the needs of the affected families, ensuring their safety, stability, and access to essential services.

"As soon as we became aware of the situation, we activated our Emergency Management Committee, whose members mobilized to the affected area to coordinate the necessary support. In communication with the acting governor and secretary of state, Rosachely Rivera Santana, we addressed this emergency with the urgency and sensitivity it warranted, always prioritizing the well-being of our people," stated the Secretary of the Department of Housing, Luis Augusto Martínez Román.

The official explained that, in collaboration with the organization Solo Por Hoy, the Department coordinated the distribution of food, hygiene products, clothing, basic necessities, and information on available housing programs for the affected families. He also reported that one of the participants requested placement in a shelter coordinated by a faith-based community organization, while another family will be relocated to public housing, as a result of efforts made by the Public Housing Administration team.

"This morning, Friday, social workers and psychologists from the Subsidies and Community Development Secretariat provided emotional support to the affected families and addressed their needs through coordination with community organizations and government agencies, ensuring a comprehensive response to this emergency," the secretary added.

As part of the interagency response, the Department of Housing worked in coordination with the municipality of Cataño and its interim mayor, María Pérez Ramos; the executive director of the Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development (ODSEC), Keren Riquelme; and the team from the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA), to comprehensively address each case and ensure the protection and stability of the impacted families.

"Our responsibility doesn't end with the immediate emergency response. We will continue to follow up with each of the affected families to ensure they receive the support and resources they need. That is the commitment Governor Jenniffer González Colón has set for us: to maintain a present, agile, and coordinated government that responds with sensitivity and concrete actions to protect the well-being of our people," Martínez Román concluded.