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.

Please share this February 2011 newsletter with your family, friends and business associates!

Peoples' Self-Help Housing E-Newsletter

PSHH Elects New President of Board of Directors Gang Prevention Workshop in SB It's a Drug-Free Contest Sweep! Carpinteria Development Approved Upcoming Seminars Staff Additions Self-Help Home Building Updates

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy President's Day!

PSHH Elects New President of Board of Directors

Carolyn Johnson has been elected president of the board of directors of Peoples' Self-Help Housing. Other newly-elected officers include vice president David Gustafson, secretary Jolie Ditmore, and treasurer Charles Fruit. Johnson hs served on the board for 20 years most recently as secretary.

She is the Planning Manager for the City of Pismo Beach and has also worked as a planner for the City of Santa Maria, Council Bluffs Iowa, and Lincoln and Omaha in Nebraska. She completed a B.S. degree in Urban Studies at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and completed Master's coursework in Community and Regional Planning there. Johnson and her family reside in San Luis Obispo County.

"Our mission to provide affordable housing and programs leading to self-sufficiency has been accomplished for thousands over the last 40 years, resulting in economic independence for so many people. I'm honored to work with such a successful organization and look forward to continuing People's efforts in the coming years," stated Johnson.

_________________________________________________________________________

Gang Prevention Workshop in SB

The Youth Education Enhancement Program at Ladera Apartments hosted an anti-gang workshop last month. There was a standing-room only crowd in the community room in this 50-unit apartment complex on Santa Barbara's Westside.

Officers Baker and Lammer from the SB Police Department spoke to parents and answered questions. The officers displayed drug paraphenilia to watch out for and clothing and behavior that could signal a child's possible recruitment by a gang. Gangs are recruiting youth as young as 12 into local gangs. The program was facilitated by YEEP Eductor Lucy Perez and Property Manager Minerva. This program is supported in part by CDBG funding by the City of Santa Barbara.

_________________________________________________________________________

It's a Drug-Free Contest Sweep!

Residents of PSHH's Isla Vista Apartments won awards in Fighting Back's anti-drug contest. Third grader Este- fany Flores' message was "I am happy without drugs'. Sixth grader Luis Flores stated, "All my friends are cool and we love hanging out together. We're happy that we are drug-free."

Fourth grade winner Mori Chilba said, "I love how salmon live strongly although some are really in danger. We should live strongly and stay drug-free. If you do drugs you will lose your smile." All three students had their photos printed in the organization's calendar and received a $250 savings bond! Congratulations!

_________________________________________________________________________

Carpinteria Development Approved

Peoples' is happy to announce that the expansion of Dahlia Court Apartments in Carpinteria has been approved by the City of Carpinteria City Council. Planning work is well underway for the 33-unit apartment addition in three buildings on the complex's south side. Amenities will include a community room with kitchen, youth education center, clinic room, and office. The addition will provide housing for approximately 150 low income persons. The City of Carpinteria also approved a land donation for the project valued at $600,000.

Community support for the Carpinteria Capital Campaign, which also includes the development of Casas de las Flores (formerly the Camper Park), has been positive, including a $75,000 Impact Grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation.  

_________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Seminars

Free First Time Homebuyer Seminar
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Rabobank
6950 El Camino Real
Atascadero

Free Foreclosure Prevention Seminar
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2011
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Los Adobes de Maria II
1148 Boone Street
Santa Maria

For more information please call (805) 781-3088. 

_________________________________________________________________________

Staff Additions

Welcome New Staffers:

Mary Carmen Rivera
Housekeeping El Patio Hotel
Ventura

Liz Lopez Byrnes
Loan Processor Self-Help
San Luis Obispo

Brienna Milam
Youth Educator
Carpinteria

Brittany Carraway, MSW
joined the Supportive Housing
Program as a case worker in
San Luis Obispo County

_________________________________________________________________________

Self-Help Home Building Updates

Templeton
Check out the daily blog from one of the owner-builders in Templeton:

Blog from Templeton Self-Help Family

Group two is currently framing their homes.

Group three and four are working on foundations.

Oceano Applications!
A new development in Oceano will provide six new homes! We are currently taking applications.
For more information, please contact (805) 781-3088 x0.

[View our E-Newsletter Archives]