Despite the rain, a Chico organization is working to build homes for the county's homeless
Chico, Calif. — The Chico Action Housing Team, or CHAT, has been working for over a decade to get housing for Butte County’s homeless population.
One of its biggest projects is Everheart Village, a collection of tiny homes currently under construction near the Chico Airport. When they’re finished, they will be moved to a one-acre site next to Butte County Behavioral Health, off of Cohasset Road.
Twenty homeless people, approved by behavioral health, will live in the tiny homes. And although the rain has delayed construction by months, officials are optimistic that they can help with Butte County’s homeless crisis.
“CHAT has meandered and driven through the obstacles in many of the same ways that they break down barriers for individuals to get housing,” said Ken Dickson, a volunteer construction coordinator.
CHAT emphasizes the necessity of “housing-first” policy when it comes to solving the homelessness crisis.
“It’s very hard to stabilize your mental health when you are sleeping outside; it’s virtually impossible to access services, to keep track of your medications and even sleep,” said CHAT Executive Director Nicole Drummond. "It can just really, really change your ability to function and regulate and sustain yourself. Moving people inside is the first step to any type of stability.”
The rain has delayed two straight work days to finish the tiny homes and get them ready for habitation. However, the project is expected to be completed by “mid-year”.
