An Affordable Housing Preservation Project

On March 13th, 2026, we celebrated the completion of the NPHS Villas on Mill St. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the property in the City of San Bernardino. NPHS staff, several members of the Board of Directors, project partners, and Congressman Pete Aguilar, who helped secure funding for the project, joined together to mark the milestone and recognize the impact.

The project is a powerful example of affordable housing preservation and rehabilitation.

“We have to do something about these small, vulnerable, multi-family properties that are being gobbled up by investors and made into market rate rental units,” said Clemente Mojica, President and CEO of NPHS. “A lot of folks living in the Inland Empire cannot afford market rate rental prices. Some of the families would have been displaced, and that would have been the case here.”

Protecting Housing from Speculation

In November 2022, we acquired the six-unit rental property as part of our broader anti-displacement strategy. By stepping in, NPHS ensured the property would remain affordable for the residents. All of our rental properties are intentionally kept below market rate and serve households earning at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).

“That’s what housing preservation is all about,” said Mojica. “It’s connecting with the families, connecting with what they can afford and helping them stabilize their housing situation.”

A $1 Million Investment in Stability and Quality

Preserving affordability does not mean compromising on quality. In fact, the opposite is true.

From September 2025 to February 2026, NPHS completed a comprehensive $1 million rehabilitation of the property. The renovation addressed critical health and safety needs while transforming the site into a healthier, more sustainable, and more climate-resilient place to live.

Each unit received:

• New flooring and fresh interior paint
• Fully remodeled and reconfigured kitchens and bathrooms to improve functionality
• ENERGY STAR® appliances
• High-efficiency HVAC systems
• Energy-efficient windows
• New roofing
• LED lighting throughout
• Electrical system upgrades to meet modern safety standards
• Plumbing line replacements

Beyond the interiors, the site itself was thoughtfully upgraded:

• Vinyl fencing for each unit
• A new security entry gate to enhance safety
• New trees and drought-tolerant landscaping
• Artificial turf to reduce water use
• New concrete and drainage

“This home feels brand new to me now, on the inside and the outside,” said Wilma Palmer, one of the current residents. “The yard is different, and better. I like that there’s new windows all around. I have a ceiling fan in the bedroom, which I never had [before]. It makes me feel comfortable and relaxed.”

Beyond aesthetics, the upgrades will help reduce utility costs for residents, improve indoor air quality, conserve water, and lower long-term operating expenses, ensuring the property remains financially sustainable for years to come.

Building Climate and Fire Resilience

In a region increasingly impacted by wildfire risk, resilience is essential to housing preservation.

The NPHS Villas were retrofitted to meet Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) standards and incorporated key elements of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home® program. These upgrades strengthen the property against fire hazards, improve insurability, and protect residents from growing environmental risks.

More Than Rehabilitation: A Commitment to Community

The NPHS Villas on Mill St. reflect our holistic approach to affordable housing preservation. The work isn’t simply about maintaining buildings; it’s about protecting people, stabilizing neighborhoods, and creating long-term community assets.

At NPHS, we also provide ongoing financial literacy and housing education services to all our residents, ensuring that people have the resources they need to thrive.

In a time when affordable units are too often lost, the NPHS Villas show what proactive preservation can achieve: stronger buildings, stronger families, and stronger communities.

NPHS extends a special thanks to Congressman Pete Aguilar, who secured $1.6 million in Congressional Community Project Funding to help make our affordable housing efforts possible.