Peoples’ Self-Help Housing celebrates completion of Creston Garden Apartments
–Joined by local elected officials, partners and residents, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) held a Grand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting for its latest affordable housing development, Creston Garden Apartments, on Feb. 28 in Paso Robles, CA.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to preserve affordable housing in Paso Robles,” said John Fowler, PSHH President/CEO, said. “With the support of our funding and development partners, the city and the county, we’ve not only prevented the displacement of several low-income families but we’ve also built a safer and more suitable place for them to call home.”
In attendance for the celebration was representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the offices of Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham and Supervisor John Peschong plus City of Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin, Councilmember Fred Strong and representatives from the Paso Robles Housing Authority and Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. Guests toured the new learning center, playground and sport court plus the expanded community center and upgraded rental units and grounds.
Creston Garden Apartments is located at 1255 Creston Road and was built in 1980 with funding from the USDA Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Program. It features 15 two-story townhomes consisting of 60 two- and three-bedroom apartments. After years of deferred maintenance and foundation damage caused by the 2003 Paso Robles earthquake, the development was in danger of becoming market-rate housing when PSHH started the property purchase process in 2014. PSHH assumed ownership in April 2016 and made a significant overhaul of the whole development including:
- Addition of learning center and expansion of community center, which allows for onsite educational programs and social services.
- Leveled townhome foundations to alleviate sagging.
- Extensive grading of exterior walkways and the addition of ramps and retaining walls to meet accessibility standards.
Installed forced air and heating in all units. Units had no AC and limited heating prior to the upgrades. - 6 rental apartments were upgraded to be ADA-accessible.
- New tenant-friendly mailboxes centrally located near the manager’s office and community and learning centers.
- Solar panels installed on the roofs of the community center and learning center to power each facility and all exterior lighting on the property.
- New playground features play areas for toddlers (3- to 4-year-old) and 5- to 12-year-olds which include play structures with large shade umbrellas and soft and durable turf with shock-absorbing padding.
- Funding partners include USDA Rural Development, JP Morgan Chase Bank and Enterprise Community Investment.
- Development partners include Keith Hall Architect, North Coast Engineering, Ashley & Vance Engineering, Inc. and Robert Andrew Fowler Landscape Architect. Creative partners include Adele Rosen of Interiors by Adele and Dan Harding.
About PSHH
Founded in 1970, PSHH is the largest nonprofit affordable housing developer on the Central Coast. With a mission of building homes and providing services to strengthen communities and change lives, PSHH serves low-income households, working families, seniors, veterans, those living with disabilities and the formerly homeless. It also provides homeownership opportunities through a self-build, “sweat equity” program that has seen nearly 1,200 homes successfully completed. Through its developments and offices, PSHH has a presence in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, manages over 1,800 rental units, and employs nearly 200 staff members. For more information on PSHH, visit www.pshhc.org, email info@pshhc.org or phone (805) 781-3088.
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