Peoples' Self-Help Housing

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.

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Peoples' Self-Help Housing E-Newsletter

Local Bank Support Celebrating 40 Years of Service in Three Counties! Supportive Housing Program Helps Prevent Homelessness PSHH Hosts Round Table for USDA Rural Development Staff News Upcoming Events

Winter storms have reached the Central Coast, bringing much needed rain! We hope you stay dry and safe.

Local Bank Support

Bank of America recently donated $7,500 to PSHH for financial literacy classes in San Luis Obispo County and the Santa Maria area. Senior Vice President Gregory Bland presents the check to PSHH Executive Director Jeanette Duncan. 

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Celebrating 40 Years of Service in Three Counties!

Peoples' is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2010! A community-wide event is being planned for the fall in the San Luis Obispo area; a smaller-scale event will be held in Santa Barbara. A committee of board members and volunteers has been formed including Charles Fruit, Jolie Ditmore, Carolyn Johnson, Mary Verdin, and Maria Fabula. If you would like to contribute or volunteer contact Annette Montoya at (805) 781-3088 x457 or annettem@pshhc.org. 

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Supportive Housing Program Helps Prevent Homelessness

In reponse to the financial crisis, Peoples' has been awarded grants to prevent homelessness and to transition the homeless to PSHH's permanent affordable housing. These monies are carefully managed by Peoples' social workers in our Supportive Housing Program.

$100,000 was awarded by the Santa Barbara Foundation to help households affected by the economic downturn, medical emergency, foreclosure, and job loss and who are facing homelessness. In addition, Peoples' was the recipient of Federal stimulus funds in San Luis Obispo county to offer financial aid for the 'homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing program" (HPRP).

An example of a family aided by the PSHH Supportive Housing Program was a Santa Maria household that was unable to pay rent and were in jeopardy of losing their housing. James, the father, who was the primary breadwinner, required emergency spinal surgery, which depleted the family savings. After the operation he was unable to return to his construction job. The SHP social worker assisted the family with locating community resources that helped temporarily pay the rent, utilities and provided assistance with food. Our social worker also helped James find a new job that did not put strain on his back. The family has also been following the budget plan developed by the case worker. Homelessness was averted and and the family is beginning to rebuild their life.

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PSHH Hosts Round Table for USDA Rural Development

Peoples' Self-Help Housing in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development hosted a round table at the community room of Los Adobes de Maria II, in Santa Maria, January 27.

The forum provided an opportunity for business owners, residents, state and local officials, union members, non-profit organizations and community leaders to share ideas on job creation and economic growth. It was moderated by PSHH Director of Self-Help Housing Development, Sheryl Flores.

Similar forums are being led and organized by USDA Rural Development throughout the state and the nation. A final report will be produced for USDA Secretary Vilsack and President Obama, following the forums and town meetings. All participants, who signed in, as well as members of California's state legislature, congressional delegation and other interested parties will also receive a copy of the final report.

For future round table dates and locations, please use the link below.
USDA Rural Development

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Staff News

Welcome Peter Goodell

Peter Goodell has been appointed Portfolio Manager for southern Santa Barbara and Ventura counties at The Duncan Group.

Peter has worked as managing partner of Goodell Investments, LLC, a commercial real estate management firm, and also served as vice president/CFO of Goodell Packing Corporation, a citrus processing organization affiliated with Sunkist Growers Inc. Previously he was a branch manager for Montecito Bank & Trust and a business banking officer for Wells Fargo Bank in Sacramento.

A Goleta resident, Goodell graduated from the University of the Pacific with a B.S. degree in business administration, finance. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as outdoor activities.  

Linda Calderwood

Linda Calderwood has been appointed co-educator at PSHH's Riverview after school education center in Guadalupe. Linda most recently worked as a reading teacher for the Orcutt Union School District for nine years. She also worked as a School Coordinator, establishing and maintaining good working relationships among eight elementary schools and service agencies in Orcutt.

Calderwood holds a B.A., secondary teaching credential and reading specialist credential from Cal Poly SLO. She has also previously assisted the after school education program at our Mariposa Townhome complex in Orcutt.  

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