Inside Chico’s Pallet Shelter village for unhoused residents last week, politicians gathered alongside staff from local nonprofit the Jesus Center, to celebrate the site’s one-year anniversary.
The site, off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, first opened its doors last April.
"We celebrate that in our first year, 20 people have connected or reconnected with Social Security benefits, and that will provide an income that will allow them to continue on their path towards independence,” said Executive Director Amber Abney Bass. “We also celebrate that in that first year, we've had 11 people move into housing from this site.”
The site has 177 tiny homes that can each fit up to 2 people and is a collaboration between the Jesus Center and the city of Chico.
Bass said the village has housed 284 individuals in the last year.
Others in attendance at the event included Chico Mayor Andrew Coolidge and North State Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
Coolidge said he and other officials have endeavored to limit the site's impact on the city's finances.
"It is due to grant opportunities through the American Rescue (Plan) Act and also the community development block grant program that services at the Pallet Shelter in fiscal year 2223 were entirely paid through grants,” Coolidge said. “The city is committed to continue to pursue additional grant resources to support this effort, limiting the impact on the city's general fund."
Chico Public Works Director Erik Gustafson said the city has enforced anti-camping ordinances in the majority of encampments around town.
These enforcements are what direct many residents to stay at the Pallet Shelter village. As of the time of writing, there are 13 Pallet Shelters available.
