Creating Affordable Housing Options in Chico, CA

This quarter, Chico Housing Action Team (CHAT) continued to make steady progress in helping people move from homelessness toward greater stability, health, and independence. Through our housing programs, family services, care coordination, and food program, our team met people where they are and provided the support needed to help them remain housed and connected to their community.

Care coordination remains an important part of our work. For many who have experienced homelessness, navigating healthcare and community services can be overwhelming. Our team helps residents connect with the right care, mental health support, employment opportunities, and more. They also help residents stay engaged with the services that support their well-being.

This quarter, 29 people were enrolled in Advanced Care Management through CHAT, including 27 individuals living with disabilities. Since the program began in 2024, 118 people have participated. CHAT continues to help residents navigate services, providing the consistent follow-through that can make the difference between receiving care and deprioritizing wellness. Regular screenings allow our team to identify concerns early, including issues related to substance use and depression, so residents can be connected with the support they need.

One resident’s experience shows what this support can look like in practice. After moving into CHAT housing, one of our residents learned that he needed heart surgery. Before the procedure could take place, however, doctors determined that years of untreated dental needs needed to be addressed to reduce the risk of complications during surgery. Over several weeks, CHAT’s care coordinator helped him stick to his appointments and follow his medication plan. The resident followed through and stayed committed to his health even when the process was difficult. With consistent support and his own determination, he was ultimately able to undergo the heart surgery he needed. His story is a powerful reminder that supportive housing alone does not change someone's life. It gives people the stability, relationships, and support they need to make those changes for themselves.

Housing is the foundation, but true stability requires much more, and that is the core of our mission. Our staff build relationships with residents and walk alongside them as they navigate the systems and challenges that can make maintaining housing difficult.

For Easter, CHAT delivered baskets to the 38 children in our Family Program, generously donated by Chico Community Church, so they had something to celebrate the holiday with. While these moments may seem small, they play an important role in creating connection, dignity, and a sense of normalcy for children and families navigating housing instability.

CHAT also continued our weekly food program, addressing immediate needs while reducing waste in our community. Each week, we rescue food nearing its expiration date from local grocery stores and distribute it to our residents. This quarter, CHAT diverted 563 pounds of food from waste and put it to use supporting people in our housing programs. This program perfectly outlines how community resources can be redirected to meet real needs.

This quarter, Builder’s Village also continued to move toward completion. This 61-unit affordable housing development for seniors and people with disabilities reached about 80% completion this quarter. Construction is on track for the Village to open and begin welcoming residents in early 2027. With construction well underway, CHAT is getting closer to welcoming residents into these new homes and expanding the supply of safe, affordable, and accessible housing in our community.

Each unit at Builder’s Village is more than just four walls. It is a place where someone can feel secure, build routines, access support, and begin planning for the future.

Across all of these efforts, our goal remains the same: helping people not only find housing, but stay housed. Whether it means connecting a resident with care, providing food each week, supporting a family, or preparing a new home for someone who has been waiting for an opportunity, CHAT walks alongside residents through the challenges that come after someone gets through the front door.

Your support makes this work possible.

Flexible funding from GlobalGiving donors allows CHAT to meet our residents' everyday needs and invest in services that make housing sustainable. Your generosity helps provide food, care coordination, family support, and other resources that turn a housing placement into a foundation for those working to rebuild their lives. You can continue to support CHAT by sharing our updates with your network, volunteering, or participating in upcoming events. Staying engaged helps us create a stronger, more connected community for everyone.

Thank you for being part of the CHAT community. Your support helps ensure that our residents are not simply housed, but are supported and connected.  Your support amplifies the true definition of community.