Image courtesy of People’s Self-Help Housing.
CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has begun construction on Skylight Homes: a new, for-sale, single-family subdivision in Santa Maria. Interested buyers are encouraged to sign up for the interest list and attend a mandatory Agricultural Worker Project Presentation to begin the application process.
Located at 3170 Santa Maria Way, Skylight Homes will consist of 49 new homes, built over two phases of construction. The subdivision is surrounded by existing single-family neighborhoods, shopping centers, schools, and community parks. Each home will come with:
- Two car attached garage
- Private driveways
- Private front and backyards
- Energy efficient appliances and solar
- Membership to a homeowner’s association for neighborhood green-belt landscaping and maintained roads
- Access to pre-purchase and post-purchase homeownership education program
Skylight Homes is a rare opportunity made possible through strategic financing in partnership with the HCD’s Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Program (FWHG) and New Markets Tax Credit Program. These funding opportunities provide construction subsidies and downpayment assistance, reducing the mortgage that would otherwise be required from first-time homebuyers.
Skylight Homes Phase I will deliver 24 homes with an estimated completion of Spring 2028. Of these initial homes, 16 are designated for eligible agricultural workers through the FWHG program, which requires proof of agricultural employment for at least one borrower. These homebuyers will receive mortgage assistance and sweat equity in exchange for contributing 150 hours of self-help construction.
“Because of the unique funding of this project, we are really focusing on these agricultural households in this first round of homes,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “Prioritization will be given to those that qualify for the FWHG program, so we encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply!”
The rest of the homes will be available to households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Barbara County. Income limits vary by household size and are published online on the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) website. To qualify, applicants must meet income eligibility requirements, be first-time homebuyers, and occupy the home as their primary residence.
The average cost to construct each home is approximately $700,000, but eligible buyers may qualify for mortgage assistance of approximately up to $250,000. With down payment assistance, first mortgages are projected to average $424,000, although actual loan amounts will vary based on interest rates, household eligibility, and available cash down payment.
Interested buyers should sign up for the interest list and attend a mandatory Agricultural Worker Project Presentation. Those who are pre-approved and have attended the presentation will be invited to submit an application for Phase I. Additional project details and frequently asked questions can be found at pshhc.org/Skylight-Homes
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 2,400 rental units, and employs over 250 team members. For more information about the organization, visit pshhc.org.
PSHH acknowledges the Indigenous Peoples and unceded territories that our organization now occupies. We recognize the YTT Northern Chumash, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash, Barbareño/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