Our Work
CHIP is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation serving Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Sutter, Yuba and Colusa counties. We assist low-income and rural disadvantaged residents, seniors and others who lack financial resources or knowledge to improve or provide adequately for their housing. Here’s what we do:
- Construct mutual self-help (sweat equity) housing and affordable multi-family apartment housing
- Construct mult-family apartment communities for low-and very-low income residents utilizing a variety of local, State, Federal, and private funding sources.
- Manage rental properties we build and properties owned by others (18 properties total)
- Provide education and services to residents
- Build and enhance communities
Our organization has built more than 2,850 housing units in our seven-county service area and is acknowledged as an innovator and leader in rural housing issues.
CHIP receives funding from state, federal, and local government grants and contracts as well as foundation grants, corporations and private donors. The Board of Directors consists of 12 volunteers who represent a cross-section of the communities that CHIP represents. CHIP holds a General B contractor's license that allows us to perform construction as well as obtain permits.
Our History
CHIP began as a partnership between CSU Chico and the City of Chico, founded in 1973 by Jim Jessee, Keith Hopkins, Bill Murphy and Kevin Campbell. In 1991, the articles were amended to change the name to Community Housing Improvement Program, Incorporated. CHIP’s original purpose was to improve a small neighborhood south of campus through a housing rehab program. In 1980, we diversified operations by becoming a USDA Self-Help Housing grantee, and expanded to several counties. In 2018, the devastating Camp Fire destroyed 14,000 structures in Paradise and the surrounding area. CHIP lost its 36-unit rental community, Paradise Community Village, to the fire and many of CHIP’s staff were also affected. From that moment on, CHIP has been committed to the region’s long-term recovery. Paradise Community Village was rebuilt in 2021, and welcomed 29 Camp Fire survivors. Between 2019 and 2021, CHIP’s Self-Help Department has completed 94 single-family homes. In June of 2021, CHIP celebrated the completion of its 2,000th home since the program began in 1981.
Executive Team
Vanessa Guerra
Director of Rental Housing
Board of Directors
Supporters
Support from the following organizations are vital to CHIP's ability to address the region's affordable housing crisis. The following supporters have provided $5,000 or more in financial support to CHIP and/or its clients.
Partner With Us
Are you interested in seeing affordable communities grow and thrive? We’d love to hear from you!
Contact Us