People's Self-Help Housing
Building More Than Housing
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
People's Self-Help Housing works to address the serious lack of affordable housing on the Central Coast of California. Aiming to assist low, very-low and extremely low income households, housing is developed for families, veterans, seniors, farmworkers, and those living with disabilities and experiencing homelessness.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Affordable Rental Housing
Develops, builds and owns/manages attractive, well-designed, affordable rental communities, many providing community and learning centers, with recreational facilities.
Homeownership, Housing Counseling, First Time Homebuyer Education
Our Home Ownership program assists households in the construction of new homes. Groups working together under PSHH supervision are taught the construction skills necessary. Each group contributes approximately 1,600 hours of “sweat-equity”, over a 12-18 month period.
This “sweat equity”, used in lieu of a cash down payment, and with the help of a low interest mortgage, helps low-income families become homeowners. The collective effort model coupled with a sense of pride builds community and has been an important part of our organization for over 50 years.
Supportive Housing Program (SHP)
To meet the needs of our residents, many of whom are transitioning from years of housing instability, we combine compassionate property management with service-enriched supportive housing. Residents have access to free, confidential, clinical case management and onsite care. Our team helps build capacity, well-being, personal resiliency, and ensures residents have access to a wide network of regional resources. Whether it's a small bump in the road or a long-term problem, the Supportive Housing Program plays a key role in the return to stability
Camino Scholars (Education Program)
Camino Scholars serves over 400 students per year at its learning centers onsite at our affordable housing properties. As evidenced by standardized test scores, the curriculum significantly improves math and literacy skills and sets students on the path to lifelong learning. Through in-person programming and its counterpart distance learning model, Camino Scholars provides students and their families with year-round academic support.
The programs works with K-8 students through innovative math and literacy skills-building programs. Through immersive tutoring and individualized learning plans, on average, over 90% of students will improve their reading proficiency by two grade levels over the course of a school year. Offering a 20:1 student-educator ratio at site-based centers, students are never far from the support they need to achieve academic excellence.
Where we work
Awards
NeighborWorks Green Organization 2018
NeighborWorks America
SLO County Green Business Certification 2020
CA Green Business Network
Affiliations & memberships
NeighborWorks America - Member 2022
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Member 2022
National Low-Income Housing Coalition 2022
Chamber of Commerce (5 jurisdictions) 2022
California Council for Affordable Housing 2022
Housing California 2022
National Rural Housing Calition 2022
Farm Bureau (3 Jurisdictions) 2022
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of youth receiving services (e.g., groups, skills and job training, etc.) with youths living in their community
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Camino Scholars (Education Program)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Includes youth ages 5-12 and 13-19 college bound students, per month. Reduced numbers due to COVID in 2020.
Annual Median Income per Household
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Affordable Rental Housing
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Average Annual Area Median Income per household, for residents living at rental properties located in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura Counties
Number of people in the area with access to affordable housing as a result of the nonprofit's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Affordable Rental Housing
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number dropped in 2021 due to no longer managing a 100 unit complex for another entity.
Average number of service recipients per month
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Families
Related Program
Supportive Housing Program (SHP)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Supportive Housing provides clinical case management to our residents to maintain their tenancy in permanent, stable, affordable housing. (#s prior 2019 are individuals served by multiple programs)
Number of adults with disabilities receiving sufficient social and emotional support
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The social & emotional support we provide through our Supportive Housing Services program is augmented through close proximity to public transportation, medical services, shopping and other amenities
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Specific Strategic Goals 2021-2023
1. Support Underserved Populations
Capitalizing on our core competencies expand our outreach to seniors, farmworkers, homeless, veterans, persons with disabilities and other underserved members of our communities.
2. Pursue Strategic Partnerships
Deepen and expand our relationships with key partners to allow us to deliver deeper levels of support
in site-based services, new housing opportunities, and capital expansion to support our mission.
3. Capitalize on the Brand
Capitalize on the power of Peoples’ brand to expand our influence.
4. Focus on our People
Our greatest asset is our employees. Our goal is to attract and retain the most talented, diverse and professional staff that reflects the communities and populations we serve.
5. Invest in our Infrastructure
Strengthen the underlying infrastructure that has allowed us to scale our development, operating and service platforms to drive efficiency and expansion of our core competencies.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Support Underserved Populations
•Build more affordable housing for low income people throughout California’s Central Coast
•Provide services based on resident need, and continually assess results for maximum impact
•Create more homeownership opportunities and develop new sources of funding for self-help programs
Pursue Strategic Partnerships
•Strengthen and expand relationships with key stakeholders to promote more affordable housing
•Pursue partnerships with regional providers to improve resident services and increase impact
•Attract new investments to resource expanding programs
Capitalize on our Brand
•Leverage reputation and deploy creative problem solving to maximize affordable housing opportunities
•Share our experience to influence public policy and continue to participate in and affect legislation
•Heighten awareness of corporate identity and promote resident services and lines of business
Focus on our People
•Promote a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity throughout the organization
•Calibrate organizational structure and allocation of resources to reflect geographical expansion
•Invest in personnel at all levels to encourage employee retention and career development
Invest in our Infrastructure
•Enhance efficiency through scalability, optimization and continued investment in new technologies
•Streamline internal coordination by mapping processes and evaluating mesh points
•Exemplify the highest industry standards in the development of compassionate affordable housing
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Support Underserved Populations
How we will do that: Develop 600 rental units and 90 homeownership opportunities over three years. Expand services to one additional underserved population. Track impacts of services and annually assess programs based on constituency needs. Reinstate Certified Housing Counseling Agency status.
Pursue Strategic Partnerships
How we will do that: Identify partners to provide enhanced supportive services. Collaborate with local jurisdictions, housing trust funds and other entities to build wealth and homeownership opportunities. Continue to nurture existing donor relationships and widen the circle of philanthropic support.
Capitalize on our Brand
How we will do that: Continue to actively participate in national, state and local housing conversations. Create sub-brands and resource development plans for supportive housing and education programs. Market third party services for property management, IT and general contracting to increase revenues.
Focus on our People
How we will do that: Implement strategies to bring greater diversity, inclusion and equity to the organizational structure. Attune staffing and technology to support expansion of all areas of operation. Define career paths and provide resources for professional development and training opportunities.
Invest in our Infrastructure
How we will do that: Initiate a study to evaluate the efficiency of internal processes and software compatibility. Update procedures to reflect the increasing business volume. Maintain our position as an industry leader and embody the “Peoples’ Way”.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
As we celebrated our first 50 years in 2020 this is what we have already accomplished:
-Provided nearly 2,000 affordable rental units to low income households
-Supported over 1,200 families (and counting) in realizing their dream of homeownership through our owner-
builder program
And annually we continue to:
-Benefit almost 500 youth daily with in person and online education support, resulting in a 100% graduation rate
from college
-Deliver compassionate property management to 5,000 individuals and
-Provide nearly 1,000 individuals with supportive housing services year round, free of charge, to those who need
additional assistance
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
People's Self-Help Housing
Board of directorsas of 11/27/2023
Shelly Higginbotham
Retired
Term: 2021 - 2024
Dieter Eckert
Retired - Physician
Jose Flores
Flores and Sons Construction
Karol Schulkin
Retired - Social Worker
Vito Gioiello
First Republic Investment Management
Nick Tompkins
NKT Commercial
Paula Johnson
Retired - Bookkeeper
Hazel Davalos
CAUSE
Kevin Clerici
Downtown Ventura
Sonia Kroth
County of Ventura Human Services Agency
Julissa Pena
Santa Barbara County Immigrant Legal Defense Center
Yesenia Beas
CAUSE
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 12/15/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.