People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) was competitively selected to receive close to $10,000 as part of the California Housing Accelerator, which will allow PSHH to rehabilitate 65 existing units at Los Adobes de Maria I in Santa Maria.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has announced more than $923 million in awards for affordable housing projects across the state as part of the California Housing Accelerator. The $1.75 billion investment will bring bridge funding to shovel-ready projects otherwise unable to start construction due to a shortage of federal tax credits and bonds.
“People’s is thrilled that our Los Adobes de Maria I property will receive an investment of $9,963,387 to preserve the affordable housing community for generations of farmworker families to come,” said Veronica Garcia, PSHH chief real estate development officer.
“Los Adobes de Maria I provides affordable housing as well as onsite education and enrichment services to create an environment where families can thrive,” she said.
Los Adobes de Maria I, originally completed in 1995, is a United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Section 514 financed property that provides permanently affordable housing for farmworker households.
In addition to the HCD Housing Accelerator Award, the project received an award of HCD Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant funds. With both funding sources, the project will be able to start construction without further delay.
The support from HCD will allow PSHH to provide needed updates to all 14 existing buildings and the entire campus, including upgrades to improve accessibility, energy efficiency; and complete renovations inside all units and common spaces, including electrical, plumbing, appliances, cabinetry, doors, insulation, flooring, windows and painting.
Improvements will also extend to the site with replacement of irrigation and landscaping, storm water system, trash enclosures, fencing, parking areas, site lighting signage and security systems.
“When we launched the California Housing Accelerator, we had clear objectives: eliminate the backlog of projects standing in long lines for tax credits and bonds, bring affordable housing to communities in need, and reduce the amount of time and money involved to make these homes available,” said HCD director Gustavo Velasquez.
“We are pleased to partner with People’s Self-Help Housing to accelerate this much needed housing,” he said.
Los Adobes de Maria I already offers such amenities as a community room, onsite property management, accessible laundry facilities, and after-school support through the Camino Scholars program. Outdoor facilities include a playground and a basketball court.
To learn more about this project and People’s Self-Help Housing, visit pshhc.org.