Pescadero, California: Local non-profit organization Puente de la Costa Sur today announced it has formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Puente Housing Services LLC (PHS), with a mission to advance and preserve affordable, safe, and dignified housing on San Mateo County’s South Coast. As its first preservation project, PHS has acquired the former Delano Nursery site, a 13.5-acre property on Pescadero’s North Street, which includes a multifamily residential building for farmworkers.

Originally constructed in 1925 as the Pescadero Union High School, the building was converted to farmworker housing in the 1980s. It currently houses several farmworker families and single individuals in apartments and dorm-style accommodations. Preservation plans include renovating the shared kitchen and bathrooms, replacing the roof, and installing a new treatment system to ensure adequate supplies of safe potable water.

As part of its commitment to safe, dignified housing, PHS will ensure all current tenants remain housed during repairs and major renovations. PHS has engaged Coastside Realty and Management to oversee day-to-day property operations and has also launched a search for an architectural design firm to lead tenants through an inclusive design process for major renovations to the residential building.

“We recognize that the food we all eat starts its journey to our kitchen tables in the hands of our farmworkers, and that they and their families need affordable, safe and dignified housing on the San Mateo County South Coast,” notes Gabriel Garcia, Chair of the Advisory Board for Puente Housing Services. “Puente’s strategic plan compels us to be part of the housing solution, and the purchase of this property to preserve existing housing is our first step. We appreciate the prior owners of this property that offered Puente this opportunity under conditions that will allow us to continue all our other programs and services as we begin this journey.”

The new housing advocacy and preservation initiative is a result of Puente’s long-standing partnership with various local community stakeholders as well as direct input from present constituents through surveys, in-person focus groups, community organizing efforts and a series of dialogues with other community-based organizations about producing and preserving affordable housing in rural communities in San Mateo County.