1. Single-Family Mutual Self-Help Housing Coachella, CA
Case Study
“Los Jardines”
Single-Family Mutual Self-Help Housing Coachella, CA
Presented by Julie Bornstein
Executive Director
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition

2. Who needs affordable HOUSING?
VERY LOW-INCOME
WORKERS
LOW-INCOME
FAMILIES
MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES
HOUSEHOLDS BELOW POVERTY LEVEL
Less than $13,450
For an individual
Less than $22,400
For an individual
$35,800 - $51,100
For a Family of Four
$51,100 - $67,500
For a Family of Four
Fast food cooks, medical assistants, bookkeepers, social workers, elementary school teachers, electricians, plumbers, paralegals, teachers’ aides
Teachers, public safety workers, architects, physical therapists, computer programmers, dental hygienists
People living below poverty level including the elderly and people with disabilities who live on fixed incomes such as Social Security
Hairdressers, dishwashers, bank tellers, childcare providers, nurses aides, bus drivers, retail service people, cashiers, cooks, custodians, farmworkers

3. California ranks 3rd in the nation for the Highest Housing Wage

4. Los Jardines is a 205 single-family mutual self-help home subdivision located in the agricultural community of Coachella, California
Los Jardines is comprised of:
40 three-bedroom/two-bathroom homes
165 four-bedroom/two-bathroom homes
All homes have a 2-car garage
Average living space: 1,300 sq. ft.
Every home is equipped with an Energy Star-rated heating and air conditioning system
Each home is equipped with an evaporative cooling unit which is particularly suited for the very hot, dry desert climate.

5. Homeownership through the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program
A group of 10 to 12 families
working together for months, for 40 hours per week or 1,600 hours
Sweat Equity
Equivalent to Down Payment
Benefits
Sense of community pride
Working in groups of eight to twelve, families provide 65 percent of the construction labor or the “sweat equity” on their own and each other’s homes.

6. Families frame, roof, install windows, paint, and landscape, acquiring valuable construction skills that may come in handy if they ever need to undertake minor home improvements.

7. Mortgages Income of HOMEOWNERS: Average sales price: $142,000
Average mortgage:  $126,616
Average subsidy received: $14,900
PITI: $934
Subsidy range between: $0 to 50,000
Income of HOMEOWNERS:
The incomes of homeowners at Los Jardines fall between: extremely low-(30%) or $23,850 for a family of 4; very low- (50%) or $30,350 for a family of 4; and low-income (80%) or $48,550 for a family of 4. Of the 205 households the median family income breakdown is:
0-30% 45 Households (22% of homeowners)
31-50% 123 Households (60% of homeowners)
51-80% 37 Households (18% of homeowners)
205 Households
Creating affordable homeownership opportunities for 205 low-income, minority rural families is at the heart of the work and mission of CVHC. Most mutual self-help families simply could not afford their own homes without this innovative program. Sixty-percent (60%) of the Los Jardines homeowners have incomes that fall within 31% to 50% of the area median income of Riverside County. Los Jardines mutual self-help housing was able to reach very low-income households because of a combination of cost-reducing program elements that included their own sweat equity labor in lieu of a cash down payment and affordable permanent financing from the USDA. Additionally, mortgage payments build equity which is wealth households can draw upon in times of need.

8. Major Lenders and Financing FOR LOS JARDINES:
FEDERAL FUNDING 60%
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture 523 Technical Assistance Grant
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture 502 Direct Loan Program
STATE / LOCAL FUNDING 25%
SWEAT EQUITY BY HOMEOWNERS 15%
TOTAL PROJECT COST: $34,500,000

9. Single-Family Housing Development
More than 1,904 single-family homes have been completed to date through the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program
Sunset Springs
Desert Hot Springs, CA

10. Resident Services
CVHC also connects its residents to a pipeline of Resident Services programs by partnering with the best providers in the field in an effort to bring a myriad of opportunities that enrich the lives of the people living in its housing.

11. Resident Services 8 Early Childhood Education Centers
11 After-School Kids Clubs
6 STEM Lego Robotics Programs
10 Computer Instruction + Technology Centers
Ballet Folklórico Dance Instruction
Mariachi Music Instruction
Summer Youth Tennis Camp
High School Diploma + GED Program for Adults
ESL Classes + Community Gardens
Housing Counseling + Financial Education
Credit/Debt Counseling + Credit Report Reviews
Civic Engagement
Field Trips
Community Gardens
Wellness for Youth and Seniors

12. John F. Mealey College Scholarship Fund scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students
Breaking the cycle of poverty through education and scholarship support

13. Connect with us! www.cvhc.org www.facebook.com/CVHousing
(760)
45701 Monroe Street, Suite G
Indio, CA 92201