Peoples' Self-Help Housing

Fact Sheet

Mission

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.

Owner builders at Harvest Meadows, Templeton

History

Peoples' Self-Help Housing (PSHH) is a national award-winning non-profit organization that creates affordable housing and self-sufficiency programs on California's Central Coast -- San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

In 1970 in San Luis Obispo, California, a small group including Jeanette Duncan, Executive Director, and local community leaders were concerned about the lack of affordable housing available to low-income and special needs households. The group learned of a federally sponsored program available to non-profit sponsors to finance the construction of owner built low-income housing.  The group incorporated to form Peoples' Self-Help Housing. Since then, the organization has built over 1,000 "sweat equity" and over 1,200 affordable rental units.

PSHH optioned land with $2,000 in interest-free loans from a local church congregation and submitted a successful application to Farmers Home Administration for a grant to operate a self-help housing program. When PSHH began to acquire and build affordable rentals, it became apparent that quality property management and resident services, including the Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP) and Supportive Housing Program were needed. In 1996, Peoples' Self-Help Housing formed The Duncan Group, as an affiliate community based non-profit.

Organizational Profile

Type of Organization: Private community based non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, developing and managing affordable housing, emphasizing skill development, and providing education and other self-sufficiency programs.

Primary Activities: "Self-Help" home ownership; rental housing development; neighborhood revitalization; property management; Supportive Housing Program; and Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP).

Since 1970:

• Over 1,000 sweat equity ownership homes completed
• Over 1,200 affordable rentals built
• 400 Children in K-12th grade annually participate in Youth Education Enhancement Programs (YEEP) at education centers established at six PSHH sites.
• Over 3,000 residents benefit from programs annually
• Provides housing for over 300 residents with special needs

Populations Served: 25 communities throughout three county areas: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

Expertise: PSHH provides technical assistance in the design and implementation of affordable housing and community development programs for numerous cities, counties and community groups. PSHH staff have a variety of technical skills, education, experience and expertise with a commitment to innovative, comprehensive, and environmentally sensitive community planning principles.

Future Sites: Several Self-Help homes, multi-family, farm workers and senior rentals throughout the Central Coast are in the planning stages for 2008/09. Peoples’ Self-Help Housing has expanded its core vision from providing housing for low-income families, seniors and the physically challenged, to also providing a complimentary and integrated social services to assist any resident needing help.