CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) will host the launch of the ASCEND Fund on May 13, 2026 at the nonprofit’s San Luis Obispo headquarters, introducing a new initiative designed to support residents pursuing entrepreneurship, education, and professional advancement.
The ASCEND Fund – standing for Agency, Skills, Capacity, Entrepreneurship, Network, and Direction – will provide micro-grants to individuals living in PSHH properties who are working to build businesses, grow professionally, or further their entrepreneurial education.
“We see ASCEND as a bridge between our residents and the broader business community,” said Ken Trigueiro, CEO of People’s Self-Help Housing. “We’re here for our residents who are entrepreneurs and future leaders; and when we invest in their growth, we’re investing in a stronger, more resilient Central Coast economy for everyone.”
The launch event will bring together community leaders, philanthropists, and partners to learn more about the fund and the residents it will serve. Attendees will hear resident-centered stories highlighting the transformative impact of stable housing paired with supportive services.
“For many of our residents, the next step is more than maintaining stability, it’s building something of their own,” said Caity McCardell, Donor Relations Manager at PSHH. “The ASCEND Fund is about investing in that next step.”
Through targeted grants, the ASCEND Fund will help residents access tools, training, certifications, and other resources that can help them follow their entrepreneurial goals. The initiative builds on PSHH’s long-standing model of combining affordable housing with on-site education and supportive services.
Community members are invited to attend the launch event, meet the people behind the initiative, and support the fund’s first round of grants.
Event Details:
People’s Self-Help Housing’s ASCEND Fund Launch Party
May 13, 2026 | 4:00pm
San Luis Obispo Corporate Office
1060 Kendall Rd, San Luis Obispo
To RSVP, visit pshhc.org/events. To learn more about the event, email caitym@pshhc.org.
About People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH)
Founded in 1970, PSHH is the longest-serving nonprofit affordable housing organization on the Central Coast. With a mission of building homes and providing services to strengthen communities and change lives, PSHH serves low-income households, families, seniors, veterans, farmworkers, those living with disabilities and the formerly homeless. It also provides homeownership opportunities through a self-help “sweat equity” program that has seen over 1,200 homes successfully completed. PSHH has a presence in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Monterey counties, manages over 2,000 rental units, and employs over 250 team members. PSHH acknowledges the Indigenous Peoples and unceded territories that our organization now occupies. We recognize the YTT Northern Chumash, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash, Barbeño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, Cruzeño Chumash, and Salinan elders, current and future generations as the protectors of these lands. To read the full land acknowledgement, visit pshhc.org/IDEA. For more information about the organization, visit pshhc.org.