Los Arroyos Groundbreaking in Farmersville

Los Arroyos Groundbreaking in Farmersville

Posted on May 16, 2022

On April 22, Self-Help Enterprises and partners held a groundbreaking of the Los Arroyos apartments, a 108-unit affordable rental community to be located at 135 E. Walnut Avenue in Farmersville.

Los Arroyos will provide permanent affordable rental housing to working people in Farmersville and is located within walking distance of shopping, schools, and recreation. It is a highly energy-efficient and transit-friendly project as well, with sustainable features including solar PV, water conservation, and a grey water recycling system. In addition, Los Arroyos will include a vanpool program in partnership with the California Vanpool Authority that will transport residents from Los Arroyos and the surrounding community to and from work. The project’s solar panel system will offset the power used in the common area, residential loads, and community center, making Los Arroyos a grid neutral zero net energy project.

The project design and solar PV will result in reduced utility bills for residents and the property, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Los Arroyos will include sidewalks, pedestrian improvements, and bike lanes. Self-Help Enterprises was also able to provide funds to the City of Farmersville to construct a Multi-Modal Hub on Front Street; the hub will act as a transit center for Visalia Transit Bus lines that run through the community and provide a stop in the future Cross Valley Corridor.

“Self-Help Enterprises has a mission of working together to build and sustain healthy homes and communities. Los Arroyos will be a space where families can thrive, with access to opportunities for work, recreation, education, transportation, and shopping. We are proud to be partnering with our friends at the city and county to make this project a reality,” said Tom Collishaw, President and CEO of SHE.

“Farmersville is surrounded by rich farmland with many creeks emanating and is home to about 11,000 people, many earning their living by working in the fields and nearby packing houses. Just under 26% of Farmersville residents live below the poverty line and many families are forced to double up in overcrowded conditions to pay the rent,” stated Paul Boyer, Mayor of Farmersville and former employee of Self-Help Enterprises. “Hard working families need a decent and affordable place to live to have a stable environment for their children and to thrive. We are proud to be a partner with Self-Help Enterprises in the development of Los Arroyos to bring this much-needed housing opportunity to families who need and deserve affordable housing. On top of all that, as part of this project, we are excited that the State of California has granted funds to assist not only the residents of Los Arroyos with their transportation needs but all Farmersville residents as well. Sidewalks and bicycle paths will be built, and alternate forms of transit will be made available for safer and affordable ways for our residents to get to their jobs, schools, health care facilities and elsewhere!”