26 Years Since Building
Their Home in Dinuba
It’s been over 25 years since Martha built her home through SHE’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program in Dinuba. Before learning about SHE, Martha, back then a single mom of three young children, struggled tremendously to find adequate housing. After a divorce, Martha was left homeless. She and her children spent an entire year living in her car, a root beer brown 52’ Chevy Bomb. “I’d park at Ledbetter Park in Cutler, where we would spend the night,” said Martha. “Sometimes, I didn’t know if we would have enough money to eat.”

Determined to improve her life and her children’s lives, Martha continued to work. She worked at the local school, while unbeknownst to many, she lacked shelter. “I had a tia who would let me shower and get ready for work and get my kids ready for school.” Luckily, she secured Section 8 housing but still struggled to make ends meet. Read More.
Monterrey Park Track Residents Strive for Affordable Energy
Monterey Park Tract (MPT) is a small, unincorporated area of approximately 45 homes in Stanislaus County. For several years, the community has expressed concern for their lack of affordable energy because all homes in MPT lack access to natural gas. Families are forced to buy expensive propane gas or burn wood to fuel and heat their homes. Some residents have even been forced to choose between paying their electric bill and filling their propane tank.

In 2018, MPT was selected to participate in a pilot project under the California Public Utilities Commission to explore affordable energy options for disadvantaged communities lacking natural gas. Ultimately MPT could not qualify for funding because the community receives their electricity from Turlock Irrigation District (TID), a community owned utility company.

SHE’s Energy Team continued to work in MPT they collecting household energy usage data and facilitating meetings to learn more about the community's energy needs. As a result, the Energy Team is excited to announce that TID will be launching a new pilot project specifically for MPT. The project will replace propane and wood burning appliances with new energy efficient, electric appliances and is expected to produce a significant energy cost savings for participating families. The Energy Team will support TID with community outreach and engagement to inform and educate residents about the benefits of the project.
Preparing for Homeownership in Turlock
Join us on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 5:30pm for a virtual meeting via Facebook Live to learn how our Gateway Program can help you become homeownership-ready. We start recruiting families in Turlock soon!
Do you know of someone who might be interested in building in Turlock?
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Need Home Repairs?
SHE's Housing Rehabilitation Program is designed to provide financing to repair income eligible and owner-occupied homes in need of essential health and/or safety repairs. The Housing Rehabilitation Program is funded by the State Department of Housing and Community Development Grant Programs. SHE contracts with the City or County to determine eligibility and to perform the repairs. Financial assistance is provided through 0% interest deferred payment loans. Deferred payment loans require no monthly payments for 30 years and are due and payable upon sale, change of title or change of use (from owner-occupied to renter-occupied), or in 30 years. The home must be owner-occupied and located within city or county limits. Funding is available for the following:
Annadale Resource Fair, A Great Success!
On Saturday, October 9th, SHE hosted a Resource Fair and Pumpkin Patch for the southwest Fresno community to celebrate the completion of active transportation improvements on East Annadale Avenue. The improvements will help connect residents to community resources like the west Fresno Elementary and middle schools, Clinica Sierra Vista, and the Mary Ella Brown Community Center. The event was attended by community members who came to learn and pick up their free pumpkins!

"The California SGC is excited to see the completion of these bike and pedestrian improvements that will connect residents to nearby schools and community centers,” said Lynn von Koch-Liebert, Executive Director of Strategic Growth Council. “We are impressed by how the Transform Fresno collaborative will also connect Southwest Fresno residents to additional homeownership, health, and community resources at this event -- a testament to how the Transformative Climate Communities Program’s integrated investment model accelerates benefits to communities."
 
“For decades our west Fresno community has advocated for active transportation modes in their neighborhoods,” said Miguel Arias, City of Fresno Councilmember President and District 3 Representative. “Thanks to the investment by the California Strategic Growth Council, we have finally built the sidewalks and bike lanes our west Fresno families deserved. Now our residents and children will be able to travel between their schools, clinics and community center safely.”