Peoples' Self-Help Housing

Peoples' Self-Help Housing

For Immediate Release

Press Contact:
Chris Davis
805-687-3322

Peoples' Self-Help Housing Unites with Affordable Housing Non-Profits Nationwide

Award Winning Affordable Housing Groups Form SEA Corp.

Santa Barbara, CA., February 20, 2002—From Harlem in New York City, San Francisco's Chinatown, rural Louisiana to the Central Coast of California, affordable housing assistance groups are sharing their resources and experiences to further support those in need of affordable housing assistance nationwide.

For over 30 years, Peoples' Self-Help Housing has been utilizing creative and innovative approaches to affordable housing issues on California's Central Coast. Now, the local non-profit and recipient of the national Sustained Excellence Award from the FannieMae Foundation, is collaborating with the nine other award recipients across the country-all who work in the realm of affordable housing for low-income citizens and families-to create a new national non-profit, Sustained Excellence Alliance Corp. (SEA Corp.)

"This new alliance will be a good thing for Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties because it will bring more financial resources as well as cutting edge ideas to those in need of affordable housing (through Peoples' Self-Help Housing)," said Jeanette Duncan, PSHH Executive Director.

SEA Corp. will provide support and funding for housing and economic development projects for low-income populations and distressed urban and rural areas, educational and social service programs for disadvantaged individuals, and job training and job creation for the poor. All SEA Corp. members are currently active in providing low-income housing and community reinvestment opportunities, and related educational services, in different parts of the country on behalf of diverse population groups. All ten founding members are 501 c (3) non-profit tax exempt organizations.

"While none of the non-profits joining in this venture will lose their individualized identities, working as a single group, SEA Corp. will have access to and qualify for many more resources than any of us individually," said Duncan.

The corporation will seek to attract grant funds and very low interest loans from national funding sources, including private foundations, corporations, government sources and individual donors. The first year goal is to raise $5,000,000 in loan funds. All funds raised will be distributed equally among the member groups. Each of the 10 national award winners, including Peoples' Self-Help Housing, will be a partner in this new charitable venture. They include:

• Abyssinian Development Corporation in New York City, NY, serves more than 1000 families annually, and works toward community revitalization.
• Asian Americans for Equality in New York City, NY, is the only housing organization devoted to the needs of Asian Americans in New York City. As the primary affordable housing development organization, they serve Chinatown/Lower East Side and conduct civil rights counseling.
• Chinatown Community Development Center in San Francisco, CA, provides public transit, citizenship training, community centers, housing, and open space.
• Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance in Kansas City, MO, works to put all the pieces together to form a complete picture of a healthy urban community-Including, construction workers, contractors, developers, homebuyers, and residents.
• Manna, Inc. in Washington, DC, Develops affordable housing 'for sale' to low and moderate-income families. The group also provides home ownership training and counseling through its Home Buyers Club.
• New Economics for Women in Los Angeles, CA, was formed by Latinas to focus on the needs of single parents and their families by helping them attain economic self-sufficiency.
• Project for Pride in Living, Minneapolis, MN, uses a comprehensive approach that includes affordable rental and ownership housing, job training through direct employment experience, employment education and placement, youth development, neighborhood security, and support services.
• Southern Mutual Help Association, Inc., New Iberia, LA works to improve the lives of families living in rural communities.
• The Resurrection Project, Chicago, IL targets the needs of Latino families with a focus on developing leadership in the community, increasing home ownership rates, increasing public accountability, and creating a sense of hope.
• Peoples' Self-Help Housing (PSHH) is a national award winning non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience developing affordable housing and community facilities for low-income and special needs households on California's Central Coast. PSHH also provides technical assistance in the design and implementation of community development programs for numerous cities, counties and community groups.