Self-Help Enterprises’ service area is comprised of nine counties – Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare County – in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the world’s most productive agricultural area.
Though known as a top agricultural production region, the San Joaquin Valley has among the highest poverty rates in the State of California with many rural, unincorporated communities lacking adequate housing, water and sewer services. In particular, the people who provide the source of labor for the agricultural fields can find little except substandard housing in existing stock, and have insufficient incomes to qualify for standard new home loans.
Through our programs, staff works with cities, counties and residents to help meet the needs of our participants and the communities they call home.
California’s San Joaquin Valley….
- Population at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census was 3, 971,659
- Is larger in area than ten states
- Produces more than 250 unique crops
- Has the lowest life expectancy for all major racial and ethnic groups than in any other region in the state*
- Residents have median personal earnings of only $23,000, about $7,000 lower than the earnings of the typical Californian*