A local non-profit developer received a bit more than half a million dollars in grants earlier this week to speed affordable housing production in the region in the Camp Fire’s wake.
Community Housing Improvement Program or CHIP, which is building or about to break ground on affordable subdivisions in Cottonwood, Corning, Orland, Biggs and Williams, received $560,000 from the North Valley Community Foundation’s Butte Strong Fund.
“These grants, both of them, we’re meant to be a strategic investment in CHIP as an organization to really allow us to build more both right now, hopefully build faster, but for the long hall.” CHIP’s President and CEO Seana O'Shaughnessy said.
O'Shaughnessy said the organization will be able to add staff and rely less on consulting contracts.
Many things go into the cost of a home or apartment, beyond land costs, materials and labor. Smaller units are usually not dramatically cheaper to deliver, as regardless of size, they require the same elements: plumbing, electrical lines and roofing, along with studies, blueprints and local impact and development fees.
“Where we are able to make a project affordable for the long haul is in the financing mechanisms that we have available. O'Shaughnessy said.
The organization plans to re-build the 36 unit Paradise Community Village and soon break ground on a 101 unit affordable project for seniors in Chico called Creekside Place.
O'Shaughnessy said CHIP is still accepting applications for an affordable development in Corning.