About Us
Self-Help Enterprises
Self-Help Enterprises - Visalia, California
Formed in 1965, the mission of Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) is to improve the living conditions of low-income people and the communities they call home in the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley. This service area of over 15,000 square miles is home to most of the state's low-income farmworkers. The primary emphasis of the organization continues to be the creation of new housing opportunities and the preservation and improvement of existing housing stock. As an organization, SHE is dedicated to the belief that a decent home is the basic building block for families, neighborhoods and communities.
SHE was the first organization in the nation to focus on the concept of "sweat equity" housing with the belief that low-income people want to help themselves and, given an opportunity like mutual self-help housing, would surmount substantial obstacles to do so. Self-Help Enterprises' success as the nation's largest mutual self-help housing organization, and the growth of over 80 sister organizations nationwide, has dramatically validated that faith.
Now in its 43rd year, SHE has completed nearly 6,000 new self-help homes and built 21 multifamily housing communities with over 1,100 rental units. Together, SHE and its partner communities have rehabilitated over 6,000 homes and assisted 1,500 first-time homebuyers. SHE's Community Development program has provided 23,087 water and sewer hook-ups in rural areas. Homeownership counseling and education is a key component of SHE’s housing programs.
