Peoples' Self-Help Housing

Peoples' Self-Help Housing

For Immediate Release

Press Contact:
Chris Davis
805-687-3322

Ten Guadalupe Families Move in to Homes they Built with their Own Hands

Peoples' Self-Help Housing Gives Families a Chance of a Lifetime through Creative "Home Ownership" Program

Guadalupe, CA, May 20, 2002—On Tuesday, May 21, the second group of ten enthusiastic families, who have worked for over a year constructing their homes through Peoples' Self-Help Housing Corporation's "Self-Help Home Ownership" program, are moving in. A total of 50 homes will be built on the Guadalupe housing complex called "River View" and families will complete their homes in increments of ten.

The program was designed for lower-income residents of Guadalupe to purchase a home and assists families in the construction of their new house and reduces the cost at the same time. Groups of ten families work together, under the supervision of Peoples' Self-Help Housing, to construct one another's houses and, through the process, build a community. This process is also referred to as "sweat equity."

Participating families are taught the financial and construction skills necessary to build their first home. The families lower their home building costs between 20-25 percent by contributing a minimum of 1,200 hours of construction labor per family. This "sweat equity" is used in lieu of a cash down payment. This collective effort creates neighborhood ties and an overall sense of pride through the direct construction involvement of the future residents. Residents must meet minimum eligibility requirements including good credit and rental history and agree to work a minimum of 40 hours per week for 10 weeks on the construction of the new homes.

Jeanette Duncan, Executive Director of Peoples' Self Help Housing admits that the process isn't an easy one. "This isn't a free ride, by any means. The families have to be motivated and work hard," said Duncan. "On the other hand, this is an opportunity for home ownership that they otherwise might not have."

--Media Opportunity--

Tuesday, March 21, 12 noon, at the "River View" housing complex in Guadalupe, located off Highway 166/Main and Cesar Chavez, on the right-hand side. Families begin moving in while Peoples' Self-Help Housing representatives distribute "Move-In" care packages. Media can see all stages of this project from on-going construction, families moving in, to the first group of families who have already settled in.