Last 20 Home Lots in Woodlake Through Mutual Self-Help Housing Program

Last 20 Home Lots in Woodlake Through Mutual Self-Help Housing Program

Posted on March 1, 2021

For over half a century, SHE has been working with the city of Woodlake to provide quality, affordable housing opportunities for hard working families in the community. Right now, 20 families have the opportunity to join that tradition. Over the last 54 years, local families have built their own homes with SHE’s support, had unsafe homes rehabilitated, or lived in SHE’s rental communities. Building on those efforts, 20 homeownership opportunities are available in a new subdivision through SHE’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program.

So what makes the community of Woodlake so special?

The subdivision is located between Wutchumna Avenue and North Valencia Boulevard, nestled among beautiful citrus and olive orchards. The quaint city of just under 8000 people is conveniently located 20 miles east of Visalia and only a short drive to Lake Kaweah and Sequoia National Park. Other local amenities include:

 

 

• a hand full of quality grocery stores
• reputable schools
• wide range of restaurant options
• growing career opportunities
• Family Healthcare Network
• Kaweah Delta Health Clinic
• Rite Aid Pharmacy
• Woodlake City Park and Botanical Garden
• Woodlake airport
• Churches
• Woodlake Kiwanis and Lions Club

“Woodlake is a great community to raise a family,” said Rick Gonzales, Program Director for SHE’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. “This is a great opportunity to build your own home at an affordable price, as costs continue to rise with new developments.”

Through the program, eight to twelve families are grouped together and agree to help each other build their houses with skilled onsite supervision. The homes are built under the mutual self-help method of construction where each family is required to contribute a minimum of 40 hours a week working on all the homes for a period of 9 to 12 months. Together, families pour foundations, frame homes, install electrical wiring, hang doors and windows and even lay tile and paint.

“Thanks to Self-Help Enterprises, I am working towards building a home I can afford for my family,” says Desiree Sahagun, participant of Woodlake 23. “It’s been a great way to meet and interact with my future neighbors and see the progress of my home step by step.”

These labor hours, known as sweat equity, are used as the down payment on their new home, reducing costs for a new home they could otherwise not afford. SHE also assists each applicant with securing the loans needed to build their home. Special financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the State of California makes these homes affordable.

Folks that are tired of paying rent and have not been able to afford buying a new home are encouraged to reach out to see if they qualify to build one in Woodlake, before lots run out. Please contact Maria Pereda at 559 802-1262 or mariap@selfhelpenterprises.org.