Peoples' Self-Help Housing

Peoples' Self-Help Housing

For Immediate Release

Press Contact:
Chris Davis
805-687-3322

Major Affordable Housing Renovation Ready for Prime Time

Dahlia Court Apartments in Carpinteria Exemplifies Community Partnerships—Dedication Ceremony this Friday, July 12

Carpinteria/Santa Barbara, CA July 12, 2002—The Dahlia Court Apartments renovation has been one the most anticipated and well regarded affordable housing projects in Santa Barbara County. The affordable housing complex stands as a symbol of what private, city, county, and federal partnerships can accomplish. After 2 years of renovation, "Dahlia" is ready to show. The dedication will be held Friday, July 12 at 4:00 on site with a barbeque, folkloric dancers, an Aztec Dance Troupe and a Mariachi Band. Invited dignitaries include Congresswoman Lois Capps, Supervisor Naomi Schwartz, the Mayor and City Council of Carpinteria and other county and city representatives.

The City of Carpinteria, The County of Santa Barbara Housing and Finance Department, The State Department of Housing, The Santa Barbara County Housing Authority, Rural Community Assistance Corporation's (RCAC), Agriculture Worker Health and Housing Program, and Mid-State Bank & Trust assisted Peoples' Self -Help Housing to acquire and renovate the property. PSHH began the renovation two years ago.

The 54-unit apartment complex was in substandard condition with severe plumbing and electrical problems, leaking roofs, water damage, mold, cockroaches and rodents. Many residents had severe health problems, lacked knowledge about basic health issues and had access to few educational resources. It was clear that more community partners were needed including the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, Planned Parenthood, and the Carpinteria Community Church.

The Dahlia Court Apartments is now a model for showing what can happen when focused community effort deals simultaneously with improving physical living conditions coupled with meeting social needs of residents. The project is affordable and beautiful. It boasts an innovative health screening center, playgrounds for the children, a community room and new laundry facility. In addition to creating an attractive, safe environment for the families there is now community space for educational, recreational and health programs.

The established partnerships with local agencies facilitate resident access to numerous family education and cultural programs. "Dahlia Court is a positive example of what can happen when the needs of lower income families and affordable housing, are attacked on multiple levels," said Jeanette Duncan, Executive Director of Peoples' Self-help Housing. "We were only able to transform Dahlia Court Apartments because of the community partners who helped us deal with the issues that face these tenants every day."

In addition, the strategic relationships developed with local private foundations enable Peoples' Self-Help Housing to develop successful, well-managed projects. The Santa Barbara Foundation donated money that provided the purchase for playground equipment. The Hutton Foundation contributed toward the building of the new laundry facility, and The McCune Family Foundation enabled an academic and recreational after school program for the children who live there.

"One of the most critical issues facing our community is affordable housing," said Chuck Slosser, President and CEO of Santa Barbara Foundation. "Peoples' Self-help Housing is addressing this mater head on, and the Santa Barbara Foundation is pleased to assist them with their efforts."

--Media Advisory--

Who: Invited dignitaries include Congresswoman Lois Capps, Supervisor Naomi Schwartz, Carpinteria Mayor and City Council members. Many of the community partner organization will also be in attendance.

What: Dedication ceremony for the Dahlia Court Apartments with a barbeque, refreshments, a Mariachi band and Aztec Dance group

Where: Dahlia Court Apartments, 1300 Dahlia Court, Carpinteria.

Directions from 101 South: Take Reynolds Ave. exit in Carpinteria, right on Carpinteria Ave, right on Santa Ynez Ave., right on Aragon Dr., right on Dahlia Ct.

When: Friday, July 12, from 4-7 Ceremony (4:30 PM Ceremony) Open House

Important Partners in the Dahlia Court Apartments and who will also be represented at Friday's dedication include:

Alisos and Canalino Schools· California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc· CALM· Carpinteria Community Church· City of Carpinteria· Community Action Commission· Cottage Hospital · County of Santa Barbara (Housing Finance & Development Department and the Department of Public Health)· Economic Opportunity Commission· Environmental Defense Center· Fatherhood Coalition· Healthy Start· Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara· Hutton Foundation· McCune Foundation · Mid State Bank & Trust · Mothers Against Drunk Driving· Pacific Pride Foundation · Penfield & Smith· Planned Parenthood· Quint & Thimmig, LLP· Rob Fowler, Landscape Architect· Rural Community Assistance Corp (Agricultural worker Health & Housing Program)· Saint Francis Medical Center· Santa Barbara City College, Citizenship Center· Santa Barbara County Diabetes Resource Center· Santa Barbara County Public Library and the Literacy Project· Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics· Seed, Mackall & Cole, LLP· State of California Farm Worker Grant Program· University of Southern California, Norris Cancer Center· Women's Economic Ventures

Peoples' Self-Help Housing has been credited with improving many other Central California neighborhoods through its innovative approach to "housing and community" including the Award-winning Ladera Apartments, "The Miracle of Ladera", in Santa Barbara's lower west side. Peoples' Self-Help Housing is an award-winning non-profit with over 30 years of providing quality affordable home ownership and rental housing for thousands of families on the Central Coast.