A 23-Year Resident Sees Her Home Transformed

Wilma greets her visitors with a gentle smile and a soft voice. Her home is clean, organized, and beautiful, filled with pictures of loved ones. But not long ago, the space told a different story.

Although born in Arizona, Wilma has spent most of her 73 years in California. She is a proud mother of four, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of two. For the past 23 years, Wilma has lived in a small rental unit in San Bernardino.

“When I first moved in, the property was kind of tacky,” she said. “The fence was kind of ragged and falling in, and there was never any grass in the yard, just weeds.”

Years of Waiting

Over time, issues sprang up in her home, but repairs were few and far between. The plumbing and electrical systems had problems, and the closet doors and windows were heavy and difficult for her to open, she noted with frustration.

“I just got kind of used to it, [but] then that’s when I started feeling like I wanted to move. It made me feel like I always needed some improvements. I was wondering, ‘Is it ever going to happen? Or do I need to start looking for another place?’” she said.

A Turning Point

In 2022, NPHS acquired the six-unit property in San Bernardino, including Wilma’s home. The plan was to keep rents affordable and completely rehabilitate the units with funding secured by Congressman Pete Aguilar. When Wilma first learned of the project, she couldn’t believe it.

“I was excited. I could not believe that something this wonderful was really about to happen to this place. In all [those] 23 years, it never would have looked like this,” she explained, glancing around her home.

A Home Transformed

In February 2026, the newly named NPHS Villas were completed. Wilma’s home now features a new HVAC system, new energy-efficient windows, a redesigned closet, new ENERGY STAR® appliances, and more, all within a more open and functional space. Her flooring was replaced, her interiors freshly painted, and her bathroom and kitchen were fully remodeled, along with other upgrades. Wilma especially appreciates the reconfiguration of her unit and the repairs to the plumbing and electrical systems. And with a new security gate at the entrance of the property, she says she finally feels a greater sense of safety.

“This home feels brand new to me now, on the inside and the outside,” she said. “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.”

When asked about the significance of affordable housing preservation and rehabilitation, she noted, “Projects like these are important so people like me can have peace of mind and relax. Thank you, NPHS, for what you have done for me. I really love it. And thank you, Congressman Aguilar, for making this happen. I really appreciate it.”

Our Commitment

Wilma’s home is just one example of the impact affordable housing can have. Across the Inland Empire, NPHS is working to build, preserve, and improve communities like this one. Click to learn more about the NPHS Villas project and our mission towards creating resilient communities.