The Mission of Peoples' Self-Help Housing is to provide affordable housing and programs leading to self-sufficiency for low-income families, seniors, and other special needs groups on California's Central Coast.
The Capital Campaign to Renovate
the Carpinteria Camper Park
and Dahlia Court Expansion
Carpinteria Camper Park Resident
Our Vision:
To build and foster community, health, and decency for needy families at the Carpinteria Camper Park.
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In 2004 Peoples’ Self-Help Housing purchased the Carpinteria Camper Park at the urging of City of Carpinteria leaders and the community, who were familiar with the blight and negative impact that this had on this coastal community of 50,000. The park was plagued with drug-dealing, prostitution and unsanitary living conditions while at the same time it was home to children and families, so poor that they had no where else to live. Conditions were deplorable: sewers overflowing, children and adults sleeping in makeshift shelters—in and under the tiny campers, in tool sheds, or in the old deteriorated campers.
After Peoples’ purchase, things changed dramatically: curfews were implemented, public drinking was banned, criminals were removed from the park, and electric entrance gates installed. A 24/7 resident property manager moved on site.
The lives of the 100 families in the park, over 300 people, were transformed. Hope and decency were restored. Peoples’ did some repairs to the laundry facilities, public bathrooms and showers. A modular trailer was brought in for an education program. An after-school homework assistance program directed by a credentialed teacher and volunteers was opened that served children K-12 from 2:00 to 6:00 Monday through Friday. This gave the children a place to do their homework and to learn how to succeed in school. It also is the only warm and dry place outside the tiny campers during winter months.
Nurses were recruited to visit the park residents who needed medical attention; annual flu shot clinics were started. Holiday celebrations and group dinners and entertainment were organized and brought the residents together with a renewed sense of community.
However, conditions at the park, which is located only minutes from the wealth of Montecito, remain grim. Many of the original households have been re-located to Peoples’ other affordable rental properties as openings become available. Thirty-five families remain in crowded, dilapidated travel trailers—eating, cooking, sleeping, and studying in a space smaller than a bedroom in our own home.
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing has a plan and it has a mission. For nearly 40 years Peoples’ Self-Help Housing has renovated and developed nearly 1,400 units of attractive quality affordable rental property for hard-working, low income households. Peoples’ has developed a site plan and architectural plans for 44 new affordable apartments at the Camper Park, which will be renamed “Casas de las Flores”. In addition, our nearby Dahlia Court complex will add another 30 units. We will be well on our way to provide housing for the remaining families living at the Camper Park.
Construction could start as early as December 2010 on the new Dahlia Court units. Construction will take a year and units would be available for residency late 2011. Amenities will include preservation of a natural bioswale, addition of two community education centers, two playgrounds, basketball court, and walking path.
We ask you to join our effort to rebuild this much-needed low-income housing. Your donation will build hope, bring decency, and establish a stable and safe neighborhood and community.
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CARPINTERIA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NAMED GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
1. DAHLIA COURT EXPANSION
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER
4400 SQ FT
|
500,000 |
| NORTH HALL (9 UNITS) |
300,000 |
| EAST HALL (8 UNITS) |
250,000 |
| WEST HALL (8 UNITS) |
250,000 |
| SOUTH HALL (8 UNITS) |
250,000 |
| PLAYGROUND/PARK |
50,000 |
| WETLANDS/BIOSWALE |
25,000 |
| |
__________ |
| |
$1,625,000 |
2. CAMPER PARK RENOVATION
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER
4300 SQ FT |
500,000 |
HALL 6 (8 UNITS) |
250,000 |
HALL 4 (8 UNITS) |
250,000 |
HALL 2 (8 UNITS) |
250,000 |
HALL 1 (6 UNITS) |
200,000 |
HALL 7 (4 UNITS) |
150,000 |
| HALL 5 (3 UNITS) |
100,000 |
| HALL 3 (3 UNITS) |
100,000 |
| COMMON GREEN (10,000 SQ.FT.) |
75,000 |
| WALKING PATH |
55,000 |
| BASKETBALL COURT |
25,000 |
| BIOSWALE |
25,000 |
| TOT LOT/PLAYGROUND |
20,000 |
| |
__________ |
| |
$2,000,000 |
Total Campaign Goal: $3,625,000
Call (805) 962-5152 x227 for more information or to donate. Thank you.
