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Univision showcases PUCDC Affordable Housing Demonstration Project
PUCDC provides technical assistance using a community-driven approach that Integrates Community Participation And Engagement To Find Viable And Alternative Solutions For Affordable Housing Preservation And New Construction Using Green Building Practices And Cost Effective Construction.
The Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP) provides viable solutions to access alternative and cost effective infrastructure to provide drinking water and sanitation using two main approaches: a) Consolidation to municipal service for cluster communities near to existing point of connection systems or in the path of development, and b) Decentralized systems to service remote agricultural communities where municipal service is financially unfeasible.
Early in 2009, PUCDC initiated a new model of community work that has, as a primary focus, the support for community driven projects and self-initiative towards building a healthy environment for families and children. PUCDC’s main assets are its strong and well-established community relationships, which constitute a long term commitment to improving the quality of life; technical expertise in proposing viable solutions; and a strong spirit of collaboration with public agencies and other non-profit organizations.
The mission of the Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Committee (DACIC) is to secure access to safe affordable drinking water, wastewater and flood control services in disadvantaged Coachella Valley regions through strategic planning, funding procurement, needs assessment, and reporting – all in collaboration with community members, stakeholders, and local non-profits. A Disadvantaged Community is defined by the State of California as a community with an annual median household income that is less than 80 percent of the Statewide annual median household income.
The Eastern Coachella Valley houses the largest population of farmworkers living in mobile home parks, known as Polanco’s, in California. The history of Polanco parks in the Eastern Coachella Valley is simply unique and remarkable. Self-initiative, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit best describe the resilient character of farmworker families. Using a cooperative approach, families invested in land and purchased used mobile homes to address their affordable housing needs.
Considered the largest community of mobile home parks per-capita in California, Polanco families provide the essential labor force that generates over $700 million in agriculture sustaining our food system and supporting the local and regional economies. Despite this contribution they are the largest disfranchised population of Riverside County lacking basic infrastructure, affordable housing and economic development opportunities.
While strong family networks, entrepreneurial expertise and a tremendous work ethic sustain the Polanco Parks, these farmworker communities lack financial and technical assistance to address applicable code violations and replace/repair substandard mobile homes.
In 2008, PUCDC started with a $250.00 donation from founder and Executive Director, Sergio Carranza. Using a community-driven model of rural development created by PUCDC, we collaborate with Polanco communities to advocate and procure seed funding that will leverage greater investment in our rural communities. For every $1 secured through donations and grants, PUCDC has leveraged $7 in direct community investment from donors including foundations and government agencies. Since 2010, PUCDC has secured and leveraged over $72.7 million in the organization’s core areas: Affordable Housing, Community Economic Development, Rural Infrastructure, and climate change.
Pueblo Unido CDC is launching new climate-resilient community initiatives to address climate change in the Eastern Coachella Valley. Please see our Community Investment section for further information on how to become a partner and donate to improve the quality of life of farm workers in the Eastern Coachella Valley.
The new climate-resilient 1,050 sq. ft. single-family residence features Structural Insulated Panels, an open floor plan living room/kitchen/dining area, two full bathrooms, three bedrooms, point of entry reverse osmosis water filtration, photovoltaic solar system, energy-efficient heat pump/mini-split cooling, and green infrastructure with native trees.
Pueblo Unido CDC responds to the needs and concerns of underrepresented rural communities of the Eastern Coachella Valley through actively engaging and fostering collaborative efforts among residents and other stakeholders to find viable solutions, leverage critical resources, and bring new opportunities to improve the quality of life for its residents.
