Fresno Bee | December 24, 2013
Self-Help Enterprises has a lot to celebrate during the holidays.
The nonprofit developer finished building the last 11 homes in its Reedley development last week allowing the homeowners to move in just before Christmas.
One of those final houses marked the builder’s 6,000th home built through its self-help program since 1965. In the self-help program, homeowners participate in the construction of their home. Their labor helps pay for the down payment of the home.
“Buying a home for the first time is always a milestone in the life of a family, but it is particularly special when you worked so hard to build it and get to move in during the holiday season,” said Peter Carey, chief executive officer.
Self-Help was looking for a project in Reedley about four years ago when homebuilder Lennar Homes was ready to sell some lots in its Orchard Estates II development on Frankwood Avenue.
The Self-Help Enterprises bought 44 lots and recruited low-income families to buy them. The families, most with household incomes of less than $25,000 a year, use sweat equity to help cut the cost of the homes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development provided loans to build the homes.
The houses range in size from 1,205 square feet to 1,350 square feet and have up to four bedrooms.
