A Warm and Solid Foundation for Merced Family

A Warm and Solid Foundation for Merced Family

Posted on January 27, 2021

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault

Tamara Herberline, 44, and her husband were living in their worn down 1976 mobile home, when their in-home services representative came for an annual visit. It was then that Tamara learned about Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) and the County of Merced’s Housing Rehabilitation Program. “My in-home worker said her mother went through the rehab program and I was hopeful,” said Tamara.

Tamara’s medical issues began shortly after her mother passed away in 2016. She was declared disabled in 2017 and uses a walker to move around. Both Tamera and her husband realized their home was not safe and were relieved to learn about SHE.

“It was bad. There were weak spots in the floor. In fact, my husband ended up falling right through the floor. No heater and no insulation,” said Tamara. “It was also hard to have friends over because of the worry they would get hurt.”

She reached out to SHE in 2019, and while the process was lengthy, she says she is very thankful. “The process was long. I think in the beginning I didn’t realize all that goes into making it all happen,” said Tamara. “Sam was great to work with, though, and made the process much smoother.”

Mrs. Herberline’s mobile home was in very poor condition which resulted in a replacement of her existing manufactured home. She now has a brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home, complete with appropriate ADA accommodations,” said Sam Palmer, SHE’s Rehabilitation Specialist. “She no longer has to worry about cold nights or a weak floor.”

When asked what she looks forward to the most, Tamara is only grateful for one thing: “Heat! Honestly, just not having to worry about whether it will be too cold. I am very thankful for this program.”

Large portions of the affordable housing available to low-income people in the San Joaquin Valley are older homes. SHE operates a rehabilitation program to preserve and improve this existing stock of housing. Through partnerships with cities and counties in the San Joaquin Valley, SHE works with local community leaders to identify housing needs, secure funding, and successfully implement housing repairs for residents.

Deferred payment loans available to qualified homeowners for essential health and safety repairs typically include roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, foundation, windows, and handicap accessible modifications. There is no monthly payment. The loan is due and payable upon sale, change of title, or change of use – such as change from owner occupied to renter occupied. Housing rehabilitation assistance can meet a critical need for homeowners who lack the funds to make necessary health and safety improvements to their homes.

To date, Self-Help Enterprises’ assistance to local communities has resulted in over 6,000 rehabilitated homes. For questions, please contact Patty Garcia at 559-802-1618.