Families Break Ground on New Homes

Families Break Ground on New Homes

Posted on June 30, 2016

Self-Help Enterprises celebrated National Homeownership Month with a groundbreaking ceremony recognizing ten families who began construction of their new, affordable homes in the newest phase of a subdivision in Parksdale (Madera County). We were honored to have Madera County Board of Supervisor Max Rodriguez and Sandra Garcia, District Representative for Congressman Costa join us for the event.

USDA Rural Development National Homeownership Month, celebrated in June, brings attention to homeownership in rural communities. Through the partnership between Self-Help Enterprises’ housing programs and USDA Rural Development programs, rural residents are able to buy a home. The single-family, energy-efficient homes are all built under the USDA Rural Development mutual self-help housing method, with homeowners working together to provide over 65% percent of the construction labor. The energy efficient homes range from 1,210 to 1,350 square feet and feature three or four bedrooms, two baths, covered patios, and two-car garages. Families not only build their homes and those of their neighbors, they also build an instant community, a sense of place, and skills that will last a lifetime.

The construction of the ten new homes will bring a total of 113 homes to Parksdale since the first self-help houses were constructed in 1970. An additional 30 homes are planned for construction in the current subdivision phase with completion of the project slated for early 2018. Individuals and families who are interested in the program may call 559-802-1628 for more information and to apply.

In addition to embracing the need for affordable housing in Parksdale, Self-Help Enterprises worked together with Madera County to improve two existing parks – Desha Park and Parksdale Village Park, located adjacent to Self-Help Enterprises’ housing subdivision. Funding to rehabilitate the parks was awarded for the housing subdivision developed by Self-Help Enterprises.

Since 1965, when Self-Help Enterprises pioneered the mutual self-help housing program, the organization has helped more than 6,200 families in the San Joaquin Valley build their own homes and achieve the dream of homeownership.