resolution 2015 - Self

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
5:30 p.m.
(Revised)
CALL TO ORDER
CONSENT CALENDAR
(Action)
(Consent Calendar items are acted upon as a group with a single motion. However, Board Members may, for
any reason, remove an item for discussion, comment, or clarification which will then be voted on separately.)
Approval of Minutes of October 27 Meeting
Approval of 2016 Meeting Schedule
Appointment of Retirement Trustee
COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER BOARD BUSINESS
Revisions to 401(k) Retirement Plan
(Resolution 2015-28)
CEO REPORT
Update
Status of Federal/State Policy Issues
POLICIES
None
FISCAL
None
FUNDING AND RESOURCES
PROGRAM ISSUES
Construction Loan to Highland Gardens
Drought Services Update
If you need to phone us during a Board Meeting, call 802-1692.
CONFERENCES, SHE EVENTS, ETC.
SHE Holiday Party – December 15, 2015 – Visalia Rawhide Hall of Fame Club
PROGRAM/PROGRESS REPORTS
Current Activities
Production – Calendar Year
Drought Services
ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST
Next Meeting: January 26, 2016
If you need to phone us during a Board Meeting, call 802-1692.
CONSENT CALENDAR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
5:30 p.m.
Board Members Present: Ray Chavez, Mike Chrisman, Bob Friesen, Marvin Hansen, Dave
Herb, Kayode Kadara, Graciela Martinez, Isabel Olmos, Gary Rodriguez, Ralph Rosedale,
Duane Scott, Susan Zachary-Kreps
Board Members Absent: Rich Barron, Yolanda Gonzales, Lupe Martinez
Staff Present: Susan Atkins, Felipe Casas, Tom Collishaw, Ethan Dutton, Patrick Isherwood,
Kathy Long-Pence, Betsy McGovern-Garcia, Sonia Sanchez, Karen Sauceda, Julie Scaife,
Andrea Sherrill, Jessi Snyder, Rachel van der Hoek
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Olmos called the meeting to order at 5:30.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Minutes of September 22, 2015 Meeting
Resolutions
2015-24
City of Bakersfield HOME Loan Application
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar, second, passed unanimously.
AUDIT PRESENTATION – Morse Wittwer Sampson – Christopher Morse
Christopher Morse, CPA, a partner in Morse Wittwer Sampson, introduced himself and said he
will be reviewing SHE’s audit at the request of Sheryl Morse, CPA, who oversaw SHE’s audit
process but was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Sheryl Morse met with the Audit Committee
for an in-depth review of the audit report on October 13th. Chris Morse pointed out a change in
the report wherein the statements from the previous year are included for comparison with the
current year’s information. Comparative statements had not been present for several years.
Morse then described the purpose of the audit which reviews SHE’s financial statements, internal
controls, and compliance with program regulations. SHE's combined financial statements consist of
SHE as a corporation plus SHE-owned multifamily housing projects Bear Creek, Vera Cruz Village,
and Casas de La Vina. The overall consolidated statements also include fully SHE-controlled projects
North Park, Nueva Sierra Vista, Almond Court, Caliente Creek, Villa Hermosa and Solinas Village.
SHE has again been issued an unqualified opinion on the audit and the various multifamily project
audits, with no findings. Morse indicated that SHE’s financials are materially correct, and that SHE is
in compliance with federal program regulations. Based on the lack of findings, SHE is classified as
low risk auditee.
Morse then gave an overview of the audit report and made the following notations for
consolidated balances and activities through June 30, 2015:











Total current assets are $25,204,084
Total other assets are $28,405,705
Property, Plant and Equipment net of Depreciation is $24,154,995
Total assets are $77,764,784
Current liabilities are $7,542,624
Total liabilities are $42,776,015
Net assets at June 30 were $34,988,769
The balance sheet indicates cash and cash equivalents of $9,802,866
Total revenue was $14,720,817
Total expenses were $14,777,553
The overall decrease in net assets was $56,736
Morse then reviewed the “notes” section of the audit report, pointing out items of interest or
changes since last year. The balance sheet showed that current construction in progress increased
from $3.5 million last year to $7.9 this year. Revenue decreased to $16.6 million from $17.7
million. Morse commented that SHE still has sufficient equity and cash to support expected
operations.
Morse pointed out other items of interest from the audit’s notes:

Gateway Village was consolidated with SHE after its initial tax credit compliance period
ended.

Fair Value Measurement of investments is reported as levels 1-3. . Level 1 indicates
valuations easily quoted on the open market. Level 2 items are valuations that are
observable and Level 3 items would require a formal valuation to determine the fair
market value to be presented in the audited financial statements. All of the SHE
investments fall into category levels 1 and 2.

Note 16 includes a statement regarding the amount of cash in accounts that are not
insured. Morse commented that the auditor is required to make this statement, but SHE’s
situation isn’t seen as a problem for SHE as the investments are FDIC insured to the
extent possible, and Wells Fargo as a financial institution is seen as a financially secure
institution.

On the Report of assets and liabilities, Morse pointed out that the overall $56,000 loss is
from accrued interest on the MFH properties of $554,750 offset by overall program
income.

Long-Pence went on to describe the supplemental information that begins on page 40 by
indicating the SHE corporate results, the combined statements that include three
multifamily properties and then the consolidated statements that include an additional 7
properties control by SHE.

Collishaw pointed out that the SHE corporate increase in net assets is an important
number at $1.2 million. This amount mirrors the Report of Budgeted Expenses reviewed
quarterly by the Board. Scott commented that that amount also includes depreciation.
Morse concluded his review by sharing Sheryl Morse’s compliment to Long-Pence and the fiscal
staff for being responsive and helpful during the audit. The fact that there was no management
letter is unusual for an organization of SHE’s size.
Questions from Board members included:
 Does the audit indicate that SHE has too much equity?
Morse said that some people are sensitive to the subject of equity for a nonprofit, but he doesn’t
believe our level constitutes a problem. It has historically allowed us to weather difficult funding
situations and the recent downturn in the property market.
 What can the Board watch for that would indicate a problem in this area?
Morse responded that if we accumulated 3-4 times more equity than cash, questions should be
asked. The current amount of equity is important to maintaining SHE’s desired level of liquidity.
 Rodriguez asked about SHE’s strategy regarding uninsured funds.
Long-Pence responded that it is unfeasible to manage the number of separate bank accounts it
would take to insure all of the funds. Scott commented that this subject was addressed a few
years ago by the Audit Committee and the full Board which decided that Wells Fargo Bank is
capitalized properly, and by keeping the large balance there, SHE is not charged for most bank
services. He pointed out the Deposit and Investment Report has a note at the bottom referencing
the uninsured accounts.
Long-Pence reported that she met with SHE’s investment broker, and the laddered CD’s are
currently earning an average of 1.22% in interest.
 How much has SHE earned on the sale of the Bakersfield lots?
The escrow is scheduled to close in November, and even after impairment, SHE anticipates a
small loss. The benefit to SHE is he conversion of land assets into cash to be used in additional
development projects.
Scott and Collishaw complimented Long-Pence and staff on the early completion of the year-end
financials and audit.
Motion to accept the audit as presented, second, passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER BOARD BUSINESS
Audit Committee Report
Scott reported that the Audit Committee met on October 13 with the auditor, Sheryl Morse. They
spent considerable time reviewing each note in the audit, as well as the single audit report. The
committee members also reviewed the usual fiscal reports for September 30, 2015.
Multifamily Housing Committee Report
Hansen reported that the reconstituted MFH Committee met with staff just before the board
meeting. After being inactive for several years, the committee now plans to meet semiannually to
review the performance of all properties. There was discussion of re-syndicating Solinas Village
and Almond Court. This would allow major upgrades to the property while not displacing the
tenants. The plan is to bring a proposal to the full board at a later date. He pointed out reports in
the meeting packets that indicate low vacancy rates and high collection rates at all projects.
Results from BoardSource Board Member Survey
Dutton reported there was a great response rate to the recent self-assessment survey. He
distributed the summary, which was just received prior to the meeting. After Board members
have had time to review the summary, they can decide if they would like to discuss the results at
a future meeting. Olmos asked if Board members would like to add this item to the November
agenda, and there was general agreement that this was a good idea. Hansen thought it could also
be discussed at some future retreat.
CEO REPORT
Update
Status of Federal/State Policy Issues
Collishaw reported that Congress has agreed on a budget deal that will avoid a showdown on
lifting the debt ceiling and shutting down the government through the election cycle. Our
advocate in Washington believes this is a positive development for SHE with USDA maintaining
their current budget levels. Still of concern is the budget for the HOME program which, before
the new deal to lift caps, had been slated for a 90% decrease. SHE and other nonprofit housing
groups are advocating vigorously to save it. SHE uses HOME funds for multiple projects and
just received word that our HOME application for the Lindsay MFH project was in a position to
be funded.
Collishaw reported that after strong advocacy by rural housing advocates, the Affordable
Housing and Sustainable Communities program (Cap and Trade) regulations will now include a
rural set aside and a larger pot of funds. This marks a victory for rural housing advocates after
being denied funding in the initial application round.
Collishaw then reported that AB 35, a bill that would have created additional state housing tax
credits, and AB377, which would increase the value of state tax credits, were both vetoed by
Governor Brown because he saw them as something that would reduce tax revenue. Collishaw
commented that the Governor must have misunderstood AB377 because it would not have
impacted tax revenue. There was a discussion of the Governor’s affordable housing philosophy
which has not been favorable. Collishaw said there was discussion at the recent Rural Summit
about changing our advocacy strategy to be more aggressive. Herb commented the state now has
a new mechanism for carrying out necessary redevelopment work. Collishaw responded that it
would be difficult to implement in smaller communities and that staff needs to get more details
on the new program.
FISCAL
QUARTERLY REPORTS
Interim Financial Statements
-Statement of Financial Position
-Summary Statement of Activities
Long-Pence reviewed the various fiscal reports. The Statement of Activities shows an increase in
net assets in the quarter of $741,171.
Investment and Deposit Report
Referring to the earlier discussion regarding uninsured funds, Long-Pence pointed out that the two
Merrill Lynch accounts are fully insured. However, the funds in Wells Fargo Bank are only covered
up to $250,000. Hansen commented that the custodial funds would be covered because they are not
SHE funds. Likewise, the LIFT funds are also custodial and thus insured. Long-Pence pointed out
that the Board designated maintaining a minimum of six months of operating reserve as a policy,
which has been updated and stands at $3,479,950.
On the Notes Receivable report, Long-Pence pointed out that Gateway Village continues to pay
$4,000 per month toward the $660,000 loan made by SHE. The balance is down to $595,000.
Interim Summary of Program Expenses
Long-Pence presented a revised expense report which was necessary due to a technical glitch; it
caused only minor changes in some percentages. She commented that most program expenses are in
line with expectations. Chavez asked about the expenses listed for furniture, and Collishaw
explained that it was necessary to buy office furniture to accommodate the large number of newly
hired staff.
Land Investment Report
Long-Pence pointed out that SHE currently has $17.5 million invested in land, $16 million of which
is SHE funds. The balance is financed.
FUNDING AND RESOURCES
Collishaw made the following announcements about funding:

$30,000 was donated by Bank of America for drought relief efforts.

NW granted $125,000 that will be used for the next development phase in Goshen and
resident services activities in the community.

USDA awarded two grants of $200,000 each in Housing Preservation Grant and
Household Water Well System grant funds. These funds will assist families in need of
new water wells, which is the biggest unmet need of families coming to SHE for drought
assistance. There were questions and a discussion of how the well replacement program
works. Atkins said the families get bids from different companies, and SHE staff reviews
the chosen bid. The typical loan payment is approximately $60 per month for 20 years,
and SHE administers the payments. Friesen asked what happens to the money that is
repaid, and Atkins said it goes into the revolving loan fund and is used to assist other
families. Collishaw commented that the overall revolving loan fund is up to about $10
million. Kadara asked about the success rate of the newly drilled wells. Atkins said there
is water available, it is just much deeper now. For instance, in East Porterville the failed
wells are only at approximately 40 feet, and the replacement wells are going down to 300
feet. Rosedale asked if there are restrictions on the use of the water (for quality issues),
and Atkins said they are only tested for bacteria because they are private, domestic wells.
PROGRAM ISSUES
Program Challenges
Atkins began her monthly report on the challenges facing partner programs by pointing out that
the quarter ending September 30 had a $200,000 net income. Rehab activity improved slightly
but continues to struggle. Collishaw pointed out that the two biggest income earners, drought
services and the LIFT program, while considered temporary programs, will be around for some
time to come. Five consecutive months have demonstrated an improving trend upward for
partner programs.
Friesen asked if staff has been thinking about the future of the rehab program. Atkins responded
that rehab activities are now a much smaller piece of SHE’s activities. Given that the Board has
historically seen housing rehabilitation as an important part of SHE’s activities and in August
reaffirmed their support for the program, staff continues to address policy issues with HCD that
created the bulk of the challenges. Collishaw described these changes and their impact on SHE’s
ability to cover program costs.
There ensued a lengthy discussion with the following board member questions/comments:
 How does SHE cover the program deficit?
The program deficits are covered with SHE general funds.
 Is the origin of the shortfall a result of overhead costs relative to decreased activity?
Collishaw said this is a small part of the issue. A larger part was a strategic decision by HCD a
few years ago that changed SHE’s ability to bill for services provided. He informed the Deputy
Director at HCD that their changes have made it impossible to operate rehab programs in the
state. He gave them a list of policy changes they could make that would improve the situation.

Herb feels it is important to preserve existing neighborhoods and urged staff to continue
their efforts with HCD.
 Is there anyone else in the state operating a rehab program?
Collishaw said that there are some smaller projects primarily operated on a local basis with city
and county staff.
 How many homes are rehabilitated in the state using a rehab program?
Atkins said it would be less than 100. She sits on a rural rehab task force, and there are very few
programs in the nation. She pointed out that well replacements are considered a rehab activity.

Chavez asked how SHE can emphasize to the state the level of need.

Friesen asked what the program deficit has been over the last 5-10 years and how much
SHE has spent to cover it, given that the amount was almost $100,000 in the past quarter
alone. He thinks the activity should be taken over by the cities and counties.

Herb pointed out that a large city like Fresno could afford to do that, but the smaller cities
and counties could not.

Rodriguez said small cities would just condemn the houses, displacing needy families.

Friesen asked if NeighborWorks® (NW) is aware of SHE’s struggles in this area, and
Collishaw said they are.

Graciela Martinez asked if NW could advocate for the activity with Congress, but
Collishaw said they cannot because they are funded by Congress.

Chavez asked if SHE could team up with Habitat for Humanity and use volunteers to
decrease the costs.
Collishaw responded that rehab activities tend to be even more complex than new construction,
making substantial self-help rehab impractical.

Herb commented that this discussion should be a topic at a future board retreat.
Highland Gardens Rental Housing Project
McGovern-Garcia updated the board on the development status of Highland Gardens in Visalia.
Construction is scheduled to begin on November 9 with completion planned for October 2016.
She described the revision made to Resolution 2015-23, initially adopted by the Board in
September. The revised resolution allows for the assignment and assumption of the City of
Visalia HOME loan from Self-Help Enterprises to the partnership.
McGovern-Garcia then described the actions included in Resolutions 2015-25 and 2015-26, both
of which are required by Wells Fargo Bank, the construction lender and investor (limited
partner) for the project. The two resolutions deal with authorizing the limited partnership to
borrow construction funds, securing indebtedness of the construction loan, and authorizing
Collishaw, as President/CEO, to sign related documents.
Board member questions included:

Yes.
Is the performance guarantee for the construction loan only and not the permanent loan?
 How much does SHE have invested in the project?
There is a sponsor loan of $871,000, which is larger than in previous development deals.
McGovern-Garcia said this will be a real loan to the project. After loan payments to CCRC,
which holds the permanent loan, residual receipts remaining after operating expenses will be
paid toward the SHE loan. She explained that the City of Visalia has agreed to allow SHE to
hold the senior lender position. SHE expects to realize a developer fee of $985,000. Collishaw
explained that this will be SHE’s first use of the non-project specific rental capital funds SHE
receives each year from NW to develop affordable rental opportunities.
 Has NW given SHE the sense that the rental capital funds needed to be utilized?
Collishaw said NW would be happy to see the funds invested in a rental project but they weren’t
pressing for it. They like to reward success. McGovern-Garcia commented that we report our
development pipeline numbers to NW annually and they would only be concerned if those
numbers decreased.
Motion to approve Resolutions 2015-23-revised, 25 and 26, second, passed unanimously.
Zachary-Kreps abstained from the discussion and vote.
Hansen pointed out that the total cost of the development equates to about $250,000 per unit. He
made the point that a nice, single-family home could be purchased for that amount and asked for
an explanation. McGovern-Garcia responded that there are five factors that influence the high
cost:
1) State energy standards add to the cost, and SHE’s own standards go 15% above state
requirements. There will be solar PV on this project to offset 100% of the common area
and residential loads, which adds $330,000. This will offset the electricity costs for the
common areas and the residents.
2) SHE is providing features for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance at
twice the required standard. This level is required for tax credit projects.
3) The project syndication costs and developer fee add to the total cost of a project. This is
comparable to the $25,000 of technical assistance that goes into the development of a
single mutual self-help home.
4) SHE is pre-funding operating reserves in the amount of $112,000.
5) The project includes a 3,000 sq. ft. community building, playground, community garden
and green space. The amenities exceed what would traditionally be funded through a
single-family development and contribute to the total project cost.
Collishaw commented that tax credit projects have additional costs for attorneys and initial
required reserves. McGovern-Garcia said that the $89 hard construction cost per square foot is
similar to the cost for a single-family home. The project also includes $27,000 per unit in
developer fees which will come to SHE. These developer fees help leverage money from
investors.
Questions/comments from Board members included:
 If this wasn’t a tax credit project, what would the costs be?
McGovern-Garcia responded the per- unit cost would be $136,000.

Regarding the front-loaded reserves, do they stay with the tax credit projects forever, and
do all SHE projects have that level of reserves?
Collishaw responded ‘yes’ to both questions, with the final amount being dependent on the
investor.

Does SHE anticipate that there would ever be a simultaneous failure of all the projects,
causing all the reserves to be necessary? Or could SHE reduce the amount based on a
realistic level of risk?
Collishaw said this requirement is governed by the individual limited partner agreements.
Although it is an interesting idea, he was unsure how it could be addressed across the portfolio.

Who would pay for the repair/replacement of the solar power system if it malfunctions
after 20 years?
SHE, as the owner, would pay for it like other project systems. McGovern-Garcia commented
that after 20 years, the project would probably be ready for re-syndication and that the solar PV
maintenance will be factored into the replacement reserves.

Will all of the Highland Gardens units be affordable to low-income families?
Yes, the lowest rents will be $337 and the highest for $829.
Cleanup and Abatement Account Interim Water Authorization
In Boyer’s absence, Snyder described the resolution which was a late addition to the agenda as
requested by the State Water Resources Control Board. She said Community Development and
Partner Services staff have been working with the Cleanup and Abatement Account fund to
supply bottled water to communities or households dealing with well failures or contaminated
water. Most of this work has been done by SHE staff on behalf of other entities that had been
awarded these funds, but SHE can also apply in order to assist private homes. This resolution
authorizes work SHE has done in the past and any future projects.
Motion to approve Resolution 2015-27, second, passed unanimously.
Rosedale asked if SHE has experienced difficulties in locating water. Collishaw said we have,
and he thanked Rosedale for assisting staff in this quest. There was a discussion of the
regulations that prevent the use of agricultural well water because of the requirement of having a
150-foot seal, which agricultural wells typically do not have. If SHE could self-finance the well
planned for Sultana, that well’s water could be used to refill the temporary tanks in Tulare
County. SHE would just need some assurance of being reimbursed.
There was additional discussion of the water used to refill the temporary tanks. The water is
actually potable; however, the families sign an acknowledgement that it is not for potable use.
Once placed, the tanks are tested weekly for bacteria.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES, SHE EVENTS, ETC.
San Joaquin Valley Affordable Housing Summit – November 3, 2015 (Bakersfield)
Collishaw said Board members are welcome to attend the San Joaquin Valley Affordable Housing
Summit in Bakersfield next week. Chavez has been on their planning committee along with
McGovern-Garcia, Atkins and Peter Carey. This is a good opportunity for advocates from the Valley
to discuss issues of common concern.
SHE Holiday Party – December 15, 2015 – Visalia Rawhide Hall of Fame Club
Collishaw invited Board members to SHE’s annual staff party scheduled for December 15 at the
Rawhide Hall of Fame Club. Those planning to attend should contact Scaife.
PROGRAM/PROGRESS REPORTS
Current Activities Report
Production Report
Drought Services Report
SHE Rental Projects
There were no questions regarding the progress reports.
ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST
Chavez asked about the house in Tulare that wasn’t part of the NH building group. He wondered
how that family would be integrated into the “community” of self-help builders. Collishaw
explained why the home ended up being built by a contractor. It was sold to a low-income family
and is located on the edge of the scattered-site group, so they will still have the opportunity to
become friendly with their neighbors.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20.
The next meeting will be on November 24, 2015.
SELF-HELP ENTERPRISES
2016
BOARD MEETING DATES
January 26
Audit Committee Meeting
March 1
March 29
th
(5 Tuesday)
MFH Committee Meeting
April 26
Audit Committee Meeting
May 31
(5th Tuesday)
June 28
July 26
Audit Committee Meeting
(No Board Meeting Unless Necessary)
August 23
September 27
MFH Committee Meeting
October 25
Audit Committee Meeting
November 22
December
No meeting
H:\Boards\SHE\JS mtg prep, etc\mtg schedule 2016.docx
SELF-HELP ENTERPRISES
BOARD MEMO
DATE:
November 24, 2015
TO:
Board Members
SUBJECT:
APPOINTMENT OF RETIREMENT TRUSTEE
Recommendation:
Reappoint Terry Williams to the Retirement Trustees for a five-year term beginning July 1,
2015.
Background: The SHE board is responsible for the Retirement Plan, and approves all plan
changes, benefit levels, etc. The retirement trust, currently about $6.4 million, is not owned by
SHE. The funds are held in trust for employees and retirees. The Retirement Trustees are
responsible for oversight of the trust fund. They meet twice a year with our advisors to carry out
a due diligence review of the trust and the investment options offered to plan participants.
Sherald Sluka
Peter Carey
Duane Scott
Tom Collishaw
Retired Staff
Retired staff
Board
CEO
Terry Williams
Staff
Term ends
2016
2017
2018
2019
Proposed:
H:\Boards\SHE\memos\memo re retirement trustees 6-2015.docx
2020
RESOLUTION 2015 - 28
REVISIONS TO 401(k) RETIREMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, a pension benefit plan (as defined in the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974) has been adopted by Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) for the purpose of
rewarding long and loyal service to SHE by providing to employees additional financial security at
retirement;
WHEREAS, incidental benefits are provided in the case of disability, death or other
termination of employment;
WHEREAS, the principal purpose of the plan is to provide benefits at normal retirement
age, the principal goal of the investment of the funds in the plan should be both security and longterm stability with moderate growth commensurate with the anticipated retirement dates of
participants. Investments, other than “fixed dollar” investments, should be included among the
plan’s investments to prevent erosion by inflation. However, investments should be sufficiently
liquid to enable the plan, on short notice, to make some distributions in the event of the death or
disability of a participant.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the form of amended 401(k) Plan and Trust
effective January 1, 2016, presented to this meeting is hereby approved and adopted and that
Thomas Collishaw, President/CEO, or his designee, is hereby authorized and directed to execute
and deliver to the Plan Administrator one or more counterparts of the Plan.
PROGRAM ISSUES
SELF-HELP ENTERPRISES
BOARD MEMO
DATE:
November 24, 2015
TO:
Board Members
FROM:
Tom
SUBJECT:
Deviation from 2015-2016 Lending Rates for Highland Gardens
Proposal: Loan funds made available by SHE to the Highland Gardens Limited Partnership will
carry an interest rate of 1%.
Background
SHE has often made loans during the construction period to the Partnerships that are constructing
our rental projects. It has been a way for SHE to earn a higher than normal rate of return as
compared to our customary bank deposits, and also reduced project costs, often resulting in
larger developer fees to SHE. Generally these loans have been at close to the commercial bank’s
interest rate or slightly lower to effectuate these positive outcomes.
In June of each year, the Board approves lending rates for the fiscal year for all corporate lending
for development, including internal and external lending. Starting on July 1, 2015 Partnership
loan rates were set at “6% or the rate being charged by an existing lender to the project.”
We are about to start construction on the Visalia Highland Gardens project, which as we have
reported came in at a higher construction cost than anticipated. Any savings on this project
would be important to our “bottom line” in the form of developer fees. The difference from past
projects is that the construction loan interest rate from Wells Fargo is much lower than past
deals, and to achieve a meaningful net savings would require a larger “spread” between the
commercial interest rate and our interest rate than in the past.
The $4.6 million construction loan from Wells is a typical variable rate loan that is tied to a wellknown index (LIBOR), which puts the initial rate at 3.35%. If we were to lend SHE funds at 1%,
our estimate is that depending on how much we lend, we could save between $60,000 and
$100,000, which would allow us to preserve the equivalent amount as developers fee. At the
same time, the funds would earn a better return to SHE than the interest we are earning in our
bank operating account.
In keeping with past practice on such loans, we will only lend cash that is available. Besides
maintaining our target operating reserve, we also will maintain enough cash in our accounts to
achieve our waivers of bank fees, and we are not planning to use any of the funds invested by the
board beginning last year. Our estimate is that we will not lend more than $3 million at any time.
If there is a need for cash during the construction phase, we could draw down Wells Fargo
construction loan funds and have the Partnership pay SHE back in short order.
\\files\data\boards\she\memos\highland gardens construction loan 11-15.docx
PROGRAM/PROGRESS REPORTS
CURRENT SHE ACTIVITIES – October 31, 2015
DEVELOPMENT
Land
Subdivisions in development pipeline: Parksdale, Patterson, Planada, Traver, Woodlake
Projects under construction: Parksdale, Traver
Lot sales pending: Arvin (1), Bakersfield (31), Corcoran (1), Dos Palos (5), Gustine (8), Tulare (2),
Winton (2)
(Total: 50)
Lots available for sale: Bakersfield (10), Dos Palos (17), Gustine (4), Riverdale (11),
Turlock (22), Wasco (28), Winton (10)
(Total: 102)
Note: (#) = lots = families
New Homes
Recruiting: Active: Arvin, Corcoran, Dos Palos, Gustine, Riverdale, Winton
Upcoming: Parksdale, Turlock, Wasco
Homes in construction: Arvin (10), Corcoran (10), Dos Palos (10), Gustine (17),
Building groups completed this fiscal year: Arvin (10), Gustine (11), Tulare (12)
FY Goal
84
$27,590
Equivalent Units (EU)
Cost per EU
Year to Date
19.45
$37,260
Monthly Goal
7
$27,590
(Total: 47)
(Total homes: 33)
Monthly Actual
4.38
$40,954
Multi-Family Housing
Project
Highland Gardens
(Visalia Village)
Dinuba Village
Patterson Village
Lindsay Village
Goshen Village III
Location
Visalia
Dinuba
Patterson
Lindsay
Goshen
Target Opening
11/2016
12/2016
12/2017
12/2017
12/2018
Financing
HOME/Tax Credit/Conventional
HOME/Tax Credit/Conventional
HOME/Tax Credit/Conventional
HOME/Tax Credit/Conventional
AHSC/HOME/Tax Credits
TOTAL UNITS
# Units
36
44
60
50
70
260
Sewer/Water - Active Projects
Fresno County
Camden MHP
Barren Way
Easton
Lanare
Las Deltas
Orange Center
Perry Colony
Kern County
60th Street
Aerial Acres
Athal MWC
Fairfax Road/Lamont
Frazier Park
East Niles/
N. Weedpatch Hwy
Golden Hills Sewer
Inyokern CSD
Krista MWC
Lake of the Woods
Lands of Promise
Lebec
Oasis
Rio Bravo-Greeley School
Pond
Poplar Water Co.
Weldon Area Systems
Rainbird Valley
Russell Street/Arvin
Sonshine
South Shafter
Communities
Kings County
Hardwick
Kettleman City CSD
Kettleman City School
Madera County
Fairmead
Merced County
Planada
Stanislaus Co.
Monterey Park Tract
Tulare County
Akin
Alpaugh
Allensworth
Avenue 322
Beverly Grand
Burnett Road
Cameron Creek
Ducor
East Orosi
East Vandalia
Lemon Cove
London
Monson
Matheny Tract
Okieville
Old Liberty School Area
Pixley
Plainview
Richgrove
Rodriguez Camp
Seville
Saucelito School
Soults
Sultana
Teviston
Tooleville
Tract 92
West Goshen
CURRENT SHE ACTIVITIES – October 31, 2015
PROGRAM ACTIVITY
Partner Programs
FY Goal
21
10
20
1,000
278
600
12
Rehab
Reconstruction
Emergency/504/Water Wells
Temporary Water Solutions
Homebuyer/Home LIFT
Housing Counseling
Acquisition/Rehab
FY to Date
7
1
16
658
111
425
1
Counties Serviced/Partners*:
Fresno County
Kern County
Delano*
Wasco*
Kings County
Avenal*
Corcoran*
Unincorporated Areas*
Madera County
Chowchilla*
Mariposa County
Tulare County
Dinuba*
Exeter*
Farmersville*
Lindsay*
Woodlake*
Tulare*
Visalia*
Merced County
Stanislaus County
SHE Revolving Loan Fund and Partner Loan Servicing
SHE Revolving Loan Fund
Loans Outstanding
Available to Lend
New Loans this Month
$11,313,822
$1,121,397
$ 47,878
# of borrowers: 474
Partner Loan Servicing
Loans Outstanding
$41,603,690
Partner Communities: Chowchilla, Coalinga, Delano, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay
# of loans: 1,150
Multi-Family Housing – SHE and Affiliates
Project
Almond Court
Bear Creek I & II
Biola Village
Caliente Creek
Casas de La Vina I&II
Casitas del Sol
Cottonwood Creek
Gateway Village
Goshen Village
Goshen Village II
Lincoln Plaza
North Park
Nueva Sierra Vista
Location
Wasco
Planada
Biola
Arvin
La Vina
Livingston
Parksdale
Modesto
Goshen
Goshen
Hanford
Oildale
Richgrove
#
Units
36
64
44
46
56
36
40
48
64
56
40
104
35
Year
Opened
1996
’80 & ‘06
2007
1999
‘92 & ‘00
2001
2001
1997
2003
2011
2007
1996
1995
Project
Parksdale Village I
Parksdale Village II
Rancho Lindo
Rolling Hills
Sand Creek
Solinas Village
Strawberry St. Apts.
Sunrise Villa
Vera Cruz Village
Villa de Guadalupe
Villa del Rey
Villa Hermosa
Viscaya Gardens
Washington Plaza
Total Units:
1,311
Location
Parksdale
Parksdale
Lamont
Newman
Orosi
McFarland
Visalia
Wasco
Richgrove
Cutler
Del Rey
Wasco
Dinuba
Earlimart
#
Units
48
48
44
52
60
52
5
44
49
60
48
40
48
44
Year
Opened
2010
2012
2009
2004
2006
1995
2015
2002
1996
2001
2005
1999
2013
2006
433
110
951
738
16
259
695
3,119
0
6,321
5
2
8
3
1
0
0
32
0
51
Fresno
Kern
Kings
Madera
Mariposa
Merced
Stanislaus
Tulare
Bal.of State
Grand Totals
Counties
Served
Rehab and
Emergency
Home Repair
Current Program
Year
Total
133
0
31
0
2
0
0
7
92
1
Current
Year
1,793
0
696
76
245
0
59
317
195
205
Program
Total
Home Buyer
8,841
55
3,668
91
355
0
230
1,242
1,756
1,444
51
0
30
0
11
0
0
0
10
0
Current
Year
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,311
0
421
100
100
0
192
40
366
92
Multi-Family
Housing
Current Program
Year
Total
105
0
105
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
29,005
2,915
7,111
961
3,924
0
686
1,603
10,368
1,437
Sewer & Water
Connections
Current Program
Year
Total
53,404
2,980
16,855
2,597
5,630
16
2,257
4,613
13,483
4,973
County
Totals
H:\Boards\SHE\Reports\working copies\_production rept-calendar year.xlsx
6,133
10
1,840
674
747
0
352
460
688
1,362
Program
Total
New Homes
(Housing Counseling includes
homebuyer and foreclosure counseling.)
708
17
131
32
9
0
10
39
294
176
Housing
Counseling
Current Program
Year
Total
as of October 31, 2015
Calendar Year 2015
PRODUCTION REPORT
116
98
78
Mariposa
Merced
Stanislaus
2,402
42
Madera
Grand Totals
Waiting List
Totals
30
Kings
1878
17
Kern
Tulare
143
Fresno
Counties
Served
145
85
5
36
9
0
0
3
7
871
579
46
77
146
0
0
7
16
871
579
46
77
146
0
0
7
16
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
59
24
0
4
1
15
6
1
8
10,546
767
51
1,382
0
105
2,342
5,729
170
10,586
767
51
1,382
0
105
2,382
5,729
170
44
10
1
1
0
1
3
27
1
H:\Boards\SHE\Reports\working copies\_drought services.xlsx
321 households
20
11
0
0
1
2
1
0
5
Temporary
Wells Repaired/
Conservation
Solutions
Reported
Replaced
Kits Provided
Provided
Dry Wells
Current
Current
Current
No. of
Current Calendar Program Current Calendar Program Calendar Program Communities
Month
Served
Year
Total
Month
Year
Total
Year
Total
DROUGHT SERVICES PROGRESS REPORT
as of October 31, 2015
THE FOOTHILLS SUN – GAZETTE
Self-Help comes home
October 22, 2015
Self-Help Enterprises is coming home… again.
The community-constructing non-profit will begin
work on another affordable housing project in the
unincorporated community of Goshen, northwest
of Visalia. At its Oct. 13 meeting, the Tulare
County Board of Supervisors approved a zone
change for Self-Help’s latest development in the
town where the organization began more than 50
years ago.
Self-Help Enterprises was born when a small
group of visionaries helped three low-income
families build their own homes in Goshen in 1964.
Over the last 51 years, Self-Help has grown to a
nationally recognized community development organization serving the eight counties in the San Joaquin Valley,
including two additional rental apartment community centers in Goshen. In fact, the apartment complexes have
given rise to the Goshen Women’s Association, which is dedicated to the promotion of women through leadership,
networking, support and education. One of their main priorities is to recruit women into their group to participate in
their weekly free exercise classes to help them make better health care choices for their families while staying fit
and healthy.
Self-Help is now beginning the process to develop a new neighborhood in Goshen on 29 acres at the corner of
Riggin Avenue and Road 176. The new development will build 229 low and very low income homes in three phases.
The first phase will include 140 multi-family homes and a ponding basin. The second phase will build 47 single
family homes and the third phase will add another 42 single family homes and a small park.
“This is a great community and we excited to develop more here,” said Betsy McGovern-Garcia, Director of Real
Estate Development for Self Help Enterprises. “There is a continued demand for affordable housing in Goshen.”
Mike Washam, economic development manager for the County of Tulare, said the project satisfies the Rural
Housing Needs Assessment which calls for 30% of Tulare County’s population growth to occur in unincorporated
communities such as Goshen over the next nine years.
“We will need 2,500 very low and low income housing units and this will provide us with about 10% of that
requirement,” Washam said.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to change the zoning ordinance of property from agriculture to multifamily, thus opening the door for more families to find affordable housing in one of Tulare County’s fastest growing
unincorporated communities.
“Goshen is moving along quite well,” said Board Chairman Steven Worthley.
The community centers within the rental communities like Goshen I and II serve as hubs that strengthen the link
between residents and engagement in social action. Throughout the San Joaquin Valley, the community centers are
made available to other organizations and nonprofits who offer a variety of programs and services for residents and
their neighbors in the community. This includes recreational, educational, social, health, civic and cultural
opportunities for students, families and the community that lead to an improved quality of life in the communities
they call home.
“Self-Help does an awesome job and has great partners,” said Supervisor Phil Cox. “I’m happy to this project
moving forward. Once a project is done, they don’t just wash their hands and walk away from it. They stay in there
and manage, which is so important.”
In the last 50 years, Self-Help Enterprises has helped more than 6,000 families build their own homes, rehabilitated
over 6,000 unsafe homes, developed over 1,300 units of affordable rental housing and has provided technical
assistance for reliable access to safe drinking water and sanitary sewer infrastructures to more than 160 small
communities.
Self-Help Enterprises’ commitment to providing resources and training for individuals builds capacity of highly
effective leaders in communities that also promote collaborative solutions for improving communities. These
combined efforts have touched the lives of over 50,000 families, providing security and stability for families and
building strong, healthy and sustainable communities.
La Opinión
Cómo vivir sin agua en el Valle Central de
California
Ante la sequía, muchos pueblos se han acostumbrado a vivir sin agua en esta zona rural del centro
de California — ¿el resto del estado está listo?
Por Eduardo Stanley
Miércoles 28 de Octubre 2015
El calendario indica que el verano ya se fue,
pero la temperatura sigue alta, el aire parece
detenido y el sol brilla con una intensidad opaca,
sucia.
Si sobre la tierra las cosas no están bien, bajo
ella tampoco: el agua escasea y, cuando la hay,
casi siempre está contaminada.
Bienvenidos al condado de Tulare, en el centro
de California.
“Aquí se secaron cuatro pozos de agua”, dice
Jimmy Moreno, quien administra un complejo de
15 casas al sur de la ciudad de Visalia. “Once
casas no tienen agua; ¡cuesta unos 30,000
dólares perforar un pozo nuevo!”
Jimmy Moreno revisando los recipientes donde almacena agua.
Esta es la historia que se escucha a diario en
esa zona: pozos de agua que se secan y el
costo cada vez más elevado para perforar uno nuevo, buscando napas de agua subterránea más
profundas.
Aparte del costo económico, las empresas de pozos están tan ocupadas que un usuario debe esperar meses para
tener uno nuevo —si tiene el dinero. Y tantos son los pozos que se han perforado en los últimos años, que el piso
de la región se está hundiendo lentamente. Obviamente, los cultivadores y las empresas agrícolas son quienes
más perforan nuevos pozos, y cada vez más profundos, lo que está afectando muy seriamente las reservas
subterráneas de agua.
Se usa hasta la última gota
“Hace un año que estamos sin agua”, dice
Moreno con un tono de resignación. “Nos
bañamos en la tina y luego usamos el agua
para las plantas”.
Se refiere a las pocas plantas que quedan en su
casa. Su jardín es un campo seco y desnudo.
“Siempre tuvimos vegetales y hierbas… Como
tomates, chiles,” explica
Moreno. “En verano no teníamos necesidad de
comprar nada, pero ahora ya no podemos
plantar nada, todo está seco”.
Moreno dice que trata de no deprimirse.
Jimmy Moreno en su hoy seco jardín. Antes de quedarse sin agua
plantaba vegetales y hierbas
Periódicamente, el condado distribuye agua a
los vecinos necesitados. Normalmente esta
agua es almacenada en un tanque grande y se
usa para el baño. Para cocinar, tanto agencias
oficiales como organizaciones entregan agua
embotellada.
Sin
embargo,
los
vecinos necesitan
comprar
más
agua
potable de acuerdo a sus necesidades.
Esta situación es producto básicamente de la
falta de lluvia y nieve, lo que ha reducido la
cantidad de agua disponible en las reservas.
Entonces,
los
usuarios,
especialmente
agricultores —los que más usan agua—,
perforan nuevos pozos. Cuando estos se secan,
perforan otros más profundamente.
Tanque principal de almacenamiento de agua en la casa de Moreno y que
se usa para el baño.
En el Valle Central de California, solo las
ciudades grandes disponen de agua
corriente. Las comunidades más pequeñas
dependen de pozos de agua.
Los residentes que padecen falta de agua, a quienes se les pide ahorrar y ahorrar, sufren otros daños adicionales,
como la pérdida de valor de sus propiedades. ¿Quién compraría una casa sin agua?
“Cambia tu visión, la perspectiva y valor de las cosas, incluso de la vida”, reflexiona Moreno, de 57 años, padre de
10 hijos —aunque comenta que la mitad de estos en realidad son de su segunda esposa. “El agua significa
mucho pero no la valoramos cuando la tenemos”.
La esperanza para Moreno y sus vecinos es conectarse con el sistema de distribución de agua de la ciudad de
Visalia. Este caserío está apenas a 100 yardas de una de las pipas de distribución y, aparentemente, el
ayuntamiento ya aprobó la idea. Pero se necesita el dinero para las obras y, con la ayuda de algunas
organizaciones como Self Help Enterprises, esperan conseguir fondos del estado.
“Si todo va bien, ¡en seis meses tendremos otra vez agua!”, expresa Moreno con entusiasmo. “Entonces
volveré a tener mi jardín!”
THE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY
Central Valley families build their own homes
in affordable housing program
By Nadine Ono
October 28, 2015
When Angelica Sanchez and her
family moved into their brand new
home in Goshen, California last
year, she knew every inch of the
house because she and her
neighbors built it. They all
participated in a "mutual self-help"
housing program, which has helped
low-income families in the San
Joaquin Valley attain home
ownership for five decades.
Angelica Sanchez and her family in front of the home they built with help from their
neighbors.
Goshen is a small, rural town along
Highway 99 in Tulare County. The
county has a poverty rate of nearly
25 percent, which means, coupled
with increasing housing costs, the
need for affordable housing is
growing.
The housing program, which is run by the non-profit Self-Help Enterprises, assembles groups of 10 to 12 lowincome families and first-time homebuyers and helps them get mortgage financing together in order to build their
own home. The group of families enters into a shared labor agreement with each other to build all the houses and
no one moves in until all the homes are completed. Each family is responsible for contributing 40 hours a week on
the construction of the homes, which takes between 9 and 12 months to complete.
The families must qualify for a first mortgage, but as Tom Collishaw, president and CEO of Self-Help Enterprises
explained, “The sweat equity, the work that they put in, it’s really a down payment, so it reduces the cost of the
house.”
Collishaw added that the residents are often surprised at how much work they actually do. The program started as a
way to help farmworkers achieve home ownership with help from the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) in the form of low-interest home loans.
Sanchez and her family moved to nearby Reedley to be closer to relatives after her family lost their home in San
Bernardino when her husband lost his job. They applied for the program in Goshen, started construction in October
2013 and moved in July 2014.
“This was my first time with construction, because I never did construction or anything,” said Sanchez. “It was nice
learning a lot about construction, because you get to know how to do electricity, working with wires and putting
things in the house.“
Self-Help Enterprises provides an on-site construction superintendent who works with the families and helps them
through the entire process.
“That shared labor aspect is really what’s unique about the program,” added Collishaw. “They work on each other’s
homes, so they may provide their hours one week and may never touch their own home that week just because the
work is going on the other homes. That mutual aspect is important.”
The houses generally have three to four bedrooms and are between 1,250 and 1,400 square feet with a two-car
garage and landscaped yards. The more recent homes are built using green materials and energy-efficient
appliances.
Neighbors who build houses together also become a community according to Sanchez, “I think its better when we
know each other and then that’s how we know who’s around us, our neighbors. I think it is a little bit safer.”
There are also hidden benefits to building your own home according to Sanchez. She’s not only a homeowner, but a
handywoman as well. “If any plugs in the house won’t work or something, I already know what to do, because they
show you all the things that could happen,” said Sanchez.
Mutual self-help housing is just one way to get low-income families into home ownership and help ease the
affordable housing crisis in the San Joaquin Valley and the entire state. Affordable housing will be one of the main
topics of discussion at the California Economic Summit, which will be held in Ontario on November 12-13, copresented by California Forward and the California Stewardship Network.
Leaders from the public, private and civic sectors will discuss programs and policy changes that ease the crisis by
setting a goal of building one million affordable housing units in the next ten years.
THE FRESNO BEE
Fresno County water tank program brings water
where wells have failed
By Marc Benjamin
October 30, 2015
Guillermo Lopez and his family couldn’t turn on their
taps, flush their toilets or take a shower for the past
eight months until Thursday, when a 2,600-gallon water
tank was installed in their front yard.
When the family’s well ran dry in February, they didn’t
realize what was occurring, even with a series of loud
roars and grumbles from a well pump running around
the clock that could only manage to push air mixed with
spurts of water through their faucets.
“Within the week, there was no water,” he said.
Guillermo Lopez turns on the tap and gets water for the first time
in eight months in his home near Fresno.
Shortly after the Lopezes’ well went dry, Self-Help
Enterprises held a meeting at nearby Orange Center
Elementary School. Representatives of the nonprofit
were visiting to discuss water quality issues, since water
in the area contains contaminants such as uranium,
nitrates and coliforms above state-regulated levels.
“About 80 percent of the wells in that area have some kind of contaminant in them, but then it went from a
discussion about ‘What’s in my water?’ to ‘We have no water,’ ” said Sue Ruiz, a community development specialist
with Self-Help Enterprises.
THEY WERE TESTING WATER FOR CONTAMINANTS, AND WE TOLD THEM THAT WE DON’T HAVE ANY
WATER FOR YOU TO TEST, AND I THINK THAT CHANGED THEIR FOCUS HERE.
Guillermo Lopez, Orange Center School area resident
In the neighborhood near Daleville and Cherry avenues, some residents have drilled new wells while others are
waiting for help after wells went dry. Those with owner-occupied homes, similar to the Lopezes, qualify to have
water tanks installed. Self-Help has four families in owner-occupied homes it’s assisting to get water tanks in the
neighborhood, Ruiz said.
Fresno County Department of Public Health contracts with Self-Help. The tanks are paid for through California
Disaster Assistance Act funding. Self-Help is contracting with the Fresno County Economic Opportunities
Commission and Local Conservation Corps, which is installing the tanks.
Lopez, his mother, brother and his brother’s 11-month-old daughter were trying to make the best of it. They were
able to get free drinking water through Self-Help Enterprises to their home, about a mile south of Fresno city limits.
Lopez’s family was using bottled water for flushing toilets and showering. Sometimes it required resourcefulness,
such as finding just the right shower head online, one that uses pressure to push water up through the shower head.
Even though the new shower head worked as advertised, a shower required advanced planning. The family would
heat drinking water on the stove and then mix it with room temperature bottled water. There were times, Lopez
admits, that he drove to his sister’s house in northwest Fresno just for a shower.
He could tell his neighbors were feeling the pinch, too. No grass is growing outside at any nearby homes, quite a
change from a few years ago when lawns were green and mowers were buzzing by 7 a.m. most days.
“I haven’t heard a lawn mower in I don’t know how long,” Lopez said.
I HAVEN’T HEARD A LAWN MOWER IN I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG.
Guillermo Lopez, Orange Center School area resident
Self-Help’s tank installations will restore a limited supply until the more permanent solution – water piped from
Fresno – becomes available.
A consolidation project between Orange Center School and the city of Fresno will lead to a water line from the
school so residents can connect.City officials say construction of the water line could be underway by February.
City water will connect up to 79 homes using a federal Emergency Community Water Assistance grant. Residents
will have to pay the water connection fee, which is a fraction of the $30,000 cost for drilling a new well. Some of the
connection fee also could be offset by grants, Ruiz said.
Lopez said losing water made him appreciate it even more. For weeks after the well went dry, he would still turn the
faucets out of habit. Then he saw how much water it took to flush a toilet.
“I never realized it took 2 1/2 gallons to flush a toilet until we had to pour the water in,” Lopez said.
THE SENTINEL
Well failing? County wants to know
OFFICIALS COMPILING WAIT LIST FOR PENDING EMERGENCY PROGRAM
By Seth Nidever
November 4, 2015
Kings County supervisors put their final stamp of
approval Tuesday on an emergency water distribution
plan designed to provide a backstop for residents
who lost their water supply because of drought.
Though the program technically isn’t operational just
yet, county leaders are taking down the names of
homeowners who need an in-house water supply for
showers, toilets and sinks because their well has
either failed or is about to.
Michelle Speer, Kings County’s emergency services
coordinator, said she’s looking for sign-ups for
anybody in trouble.
“If anybody has a private well that has gone dry or is
going dry, they can report that to my office,” she said.
The county has been collecting a well trouble/failure list since October 2014. Forty-four names are on it, according
to Speer.
Once the program goes live, tanks will be divvied out on a first-reported, first-served basis.
“People need to contact me so they can get on that list,” Speer said.
The program is designed to be relatively simple. Self-Help Enterprises, based in Visalia, will administer it on the
behalf of the county and make 2,500-gallon tanks available for up to a year to meet the sanitation and hygiene
needs of qualified homeowners.
Certified water haulers will transport the water to fill the tanks.
The idea is that the tanks will be a stopgap measure while the homeowner looks for a permanent solution (i.e. get a
new well drilled or tap into a municipal system).
The tank water cannot be used for landscape irrigation. The limit will likely be 50 gallons per person per day for
sanitation and hygiene, while bottled water will probably be provided for cooking and drinking at the rate of one
gallon per person per day.
Participants have to demonstrate that their well has failed or is going dry, fill out an application with Self-Help
Enterprises and live in Kings County.
Self-Help Enterprises officials couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
Speer said Self-Help is already implementing programs for other San Joaquin Valley counties. She said the
nonprofit organization has identified vendors willing to supply water tanks for the program. Speer said Kings County
officials have reached out to local “entities” willing to sell water.
She declined to name those entities because formal agreements haven’t been signed with them yet.
For now, Speer wants Kings County residents in trouble to contact her office directly. She said she will forward the
information to Self-Help.
Speer said that all costs incurred by Self-Help to run the program are reimbursable by the state. The cost to
participating residents is zero.
Kings is behind other counties that have already implemented emergency water programs. Tulare County, with
hundreds of wells failing in east Porterville, was an early adopter.
Speer said Kings County’s plan was modeled after one in Merced County.
Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon called Tulare County’s well failure problem “devastating.”
“It hasn’t happened here yet,” he said.
“We’ve got to look to the future,” said Supervisor Richard Fagundes. “There are a lot of big changes coming.”
“It feels good to have a safety net there,” said Supervisor Richard Valle. “I think it’s important to stay on point even
when it’s raining.”
Visalia Times-Delta
Self-Help goes solar
By Luis Hernandez
November 2, 2015
Tulare’s Sandra Luna said she is looking forward to the savings
on her electricity bill when the solar power system installed in her
home kicks into production.
“For us, it will be a great benefit,” she said. “It’s very important to
save.”
And of course, there’s also the benefit for the environment.
“We are going to be helping the environment as well,” she said.
“We are going to be using the power of the sun.”
Luna’s home is one of 12 houses at a northwest Tulare
neighborhood receiving a solar power system from GRID
Alternatives, the non-profit solar power system installer
whose Central California office was installing its 1,000 system.
The solar power systems for the homes, located at a subdivision built by Self-HelpEnterprises, are possible thanks to a
three-way partnership among NeighborWorks America, Self-Help Enterprises and GRID Alternatives. Because of the
grants and match from Self-Help, the power systems are being installed at almost no cost to the homeowners.
Tom Esqueda, regional director for GRID Alternatives Central California, said the solar power system installed will mean,
on the average, a 75 percent saving in electricity cost. Using a monthly bill of $100, the residents with solar systems will
pay $25 monthly.
“That’s more money for the family budget,” he said.
The systems installed are 3.1 kilowatt, typical for homes in the neighborhood.
Esqueda, whose office has installed solar power systems throughout the Central Valley, said at some homes the
electricity savings are as high as 90 percent.
“It makes the home mores affordable,” said Felipe Casas, manager of Self-Help Enterprise Housing.
The solar power system is just and additional money-saving feature the homes have.
Casas said the homes, built at a neighborhood just north of Heritage School, also have power-efficient appliances and
light fixtures.
“It’s all about sustainability,” said Sonia Sanchez, a spokesperson with Self-Help Enterprises.
Luna said she and her family, including her husband and four children, moved into their move in July. Even with a new
home, the electricity bill was high during the hot summer months. She said she expects a lower bill next summer.
Esqueda said the system in Luna’s home will likely start working within three months. In total, GRID Alternatives is
installing 12 systems at the subdivision. The families were picked based on annual income, Casas said.
Esqueda said GRID Alternatives and Self-Help Enterprises are natural partners in home-improvement projects as they
both work with low-income families.
With the one installed at Luna’s home, it makes eight solar power system installed at the neighborhood. Esqueda said the
remaining systems will be installed within a month.
Based in Visalia, Self-Help Enterprises has house-building projects around the county and throughout Central California.
Visalia Times-Delta
Household Tank Program could cost county
$309,000
By David Castellon
November 4, 2015
Programs to provide water to residents of
unincorporated Tulare County whose wells have run dry
could cost more than $4.1 million by year’s end, with the
county footing more than $309,000 of that bill.
But the biggest challenge to continuing the mostly statefunded programs — which has included proving bottled
water to people as well as installing and filling water
tanks at hundreds of homes — will be finding new, local
water sources to keep up with the growing demand for
water assistance, as more wells go dry due to the
Valley’s fourth year of severe drought.
Staff members from Self-Help Enterprises unloads household water
tanks in April at their Visalia headquarters. The tanks were among
492 to that have been installed so far across Tulare County through
the state-funded Household Tank Program to help homeowners
whose wells have run dry. Tulare County is paying for the water to
fill the tanks, but it’s being reimbursed just 75 percent of their costs
from state money set aside for emergency drought relief through the
California Disaster Assistance Act.
So far, the county has receive reports of more than
2,000 residential wells failing in the county, and it’s
suspected that more have gone unreported, Tim Lutz,
the county Health and Human Services Agency’s fiscal
operations director, told members of the county Board of
Supervisors during their regular weekly meeting on
Tuesday.
Based on yearly numbers, an average of 116 dry wells
are being reported dry every month, he said.
In response, the county is overseeing a number of
emergency response programs to provide water, supplying more than 2.86 million gallons a month to homes with
2,500- to 3,000-gallon water tanks paid for with state dollars for emergency drought response.
“As of last week, we had 492 installed in the county,” said Lutz, adding that obtaining water to haul to the homes
with tanks remains the biggest limit to providing assistance to people out of water.
The county has caught a break, however, after recently entering an agreement with the state-run Porterville
Developmental Center to provide a million gallons of water a month from its wells.
“We had been at the maximum of our available supply of water,” in the south county until that additional water
became available, Lutz said.
Plans are to truck part of that allotment to the northern part of the county to fill tanks in the Dinuba and Cutler-Orosi
areas, where the demand also hasn’t been meeting the available supply, Lutz said.
He conceded to the supervisors that “It’s a long haul. It’s very, very inefficient” to truck water that far, but right now
there aren’t any closer options to get water to dry homes there.
So by year’s end, the county could end up having more water available than it needs to provide to homes with dry
wells, but that won’t last long, Lutz told the supervisors, noting that as more homes’ tanks are installed, the county
could start falling short of available water within 120 to 180 days from now.
On average, about 40 households in the county are being added to the list requesting tanks and water through the
Household Tank Program, according to data provided by the county Office of Emergency Services.
“We know we are going to see a shortage in the foreseeable future,” and efforts are underway to get more water,
Lutz said.
That has included the county obtaining a $1.7 million in grants to drill and install a well for the city of Porterville
which will be used to supply water for East Porterville — the community with the largest cluster of dry wells.
The Porterville well already has been drilled, and over the next week tests will be conducted to determine how much
water it can produce.
That’s a possible long-term solution to water problems. Short-term solutions include the county’s Household Tank
Program, which includes installing the household tanks and periodically filling them with water, supplying bottled
water to homes, assessing water needs in communities and public outreach.
Much of that work is being done by nonprofits, including Visalia-based Community Services Employment Training
and Self-Help Enterprises, which is benefiting the county because those organizations are being fully reimbursed for
their costs — about $3 million so far — through the California Disaster Assistance Act, Lutz said.
So while Tulare County isn’t paying the costs to install home water tanks or to haul the water to those tanks, it is
buying the water, itself and incurring some additional costs.
Of that, the county is receiving only a 75 percent reimbursement from CDAA for the water it buys and none for
hundreds of hours county workers are spending administering and running the program, along with the “day-to-day
projects related to drought activity,” Lutz said.
From July of last year through September of this year, CDAA reimbursed $506,402 of the county’s costs, but not an
additional $165,556 which the county paid for through its General Fund, its primary pot of funds.
And by year’s end, Lutz estimated the county could spend another $140,653 that the state will not reimburse.
This calculation doesn’t factor in the possibility of the county opting to fill tanks for rental units without water if the
landlords buy tanks and pay to install and plumb them to county standards.
The supervisors have directed county staff to look into providing this service to renters, but no decision on whether
to offer it has been made.
Lutz said county officials estimate that at least 200 rental properties in the unincorporated county are without water
— though probably a lot more — and without additional water sources the county may be hard pressed to provide
them water.
THE FOOTHILLS SUN-GAZETTE
Exeter wheeling and dealing with Tooleville for
water
By Paul Myers
November 11, 2015
Despite recent rain storms that have put some
snow in the mountains and replenished the
aquifers, Tooleville is hoping to get a more
consistent stream flowing into their community.
For possibly a decade the Tooleville Mutual Nonprofit Water Association has been working with
negotiators in their dealing with Exeter.
According to Randy Groom the negotiations grew
contentious early on and left the project in hiatus,
but the two sides have now reached a point
where negotiations can continue on.
“What I’ve said is that we are willing to do this as
long as there is a benefit to the citizens of
Exeter,” said Exeter City Manager Randy Groom.
Tooleville recently has decided on a site for a well on the west side of Exeter at the intersection of Firebaugh and
Belmont. The property is owned by Jim Yarber, husband of Exeter Lieutenant Liz Yarber. The property has gathers
some notoriety for the home that is currently being built on the triangular piece of land.
According to Self Help Enterprises Community Development Specialist Jessi Snyder this particular site has been in
the works for approximately five years. Snyder works in a more technical capacity by applying for loans and grants
on Tooleville’s behalf. In that time, the Tooleville Mutual Non-profit Water Association has acquired a grant to drill a
test well to determine if water is reachable and meets a certain level of quality. If the test well reveals that water is at
a reachable level and provides quality water the Association can then purchase the small portion of Yarber’s
property for what is now an undisclosed amount. However, Snyder notes that the grant issued by state limits the
amount the Association can spend on the assessed value of the property. Therefore, Exeter has been asked to
enter into a partnership with the Association to help purchase the property, but the details of the partnership are yet
to be determined or negotiated.
Groom notes that the benefit for Exeter is the increased volume and pressure through the Exeter water system.
Once the well is constructed the water pumped from the west side well will travel through the Exeter system, and to
the east side of town. Tooleville will then be able to hook onto the system near the intersection of Firebaugh and
Spruce.
Snyder notes that the additional water provides a more reliable source that the residents of Tooleville have not had
in a while. As well the new loop system of piping allows for cleaner water movement throughout the small, two street
community, a project that was constructed in 2012 via USDA funding.
While there are several aspects of the deal left to be decided upon, such as the partnership and the agreement to
wheel the water from the west side of town to the east side of town, the Exeter City Council has been open to the
partnership.
Drought in the
San Joaquin Valley
SHE’s Involvement
• Temporary Tank Services
• Bottle Water Delivery
• Conservation Kits
• Water Line Extensions
• Community Involvement/Solutions
• Water Well Loans
• Awareness
• Fundraising
Temporary Tanks
•767
Tanks Installed/Receiving Water Delivery
» Since February 2015
» 6 Counties
Bottled Water Delivery
•1,234
Homes receiving bottled Water
» 12 Small Communities
» 2 Counties
Conservation Kits
•10,500
Kits
» Distributed via:
» 43 Water Systems
» in 7 Counties
Water Line Extensions
•156
•105
In progress
Complete
Community Involvement
Community Solutions
Community
• Frazier Park
• Lake of the Woods
• Alpaugh
• Teviston
• Okieville
• Monson
Population
2,691
917
1,026
1,214
400
250
Water Well Loans
• 2005-2010 = 33
• 2014-2015 = 29
Building Awareness
•
•
•
•
•
Newspaper Articles
Media Events
Web Page
Participation in Documentary
Meetings
– State/Federal Agencies
– Local, State, Federal Representatives
– Housing Conferences
Fundraising = $260,800
• Climate Relief Fund ($78,300)
• Bank of Sierra ($50,000)
• Valley Business Bank ($3,000)
• Wells Fargo Bank ($25,000)
• Bank of America ($30,000)
• Family Healthcare Network ($5,000)
• The Belay Foundation ($6,500)
• Private Donors ($63,000)
Other Funding Sources
• State Depart. of Housing & Community
Development, CDBG Program ($6 mil)
• State Depart. of Emergency Services ($3+mil)
• State Depart. of Water Resources ($2+mil)
• USDA ($900,000+)
• Central Valley Community Foundation ($60,000)
• LISC Grant ($150,000)
• Recent Governor’s Declaration ($5 mil)
• LISC Loan ($1 mil)
Internal Changes
• 6 New Drought Positions
• 4 New Community
Development Positions
• 5 New Assignments of
Existing Staff
The Impact
The Impact
Questions & Comments