CHIP Celebrates National Homeownership Month with Key Ceremony in Glenn County
On Saturday, May 30, eight families gathered at Orland Park Estates, standing shoulder to shoulder in front of homes they had spent over a year building with their own hands. These were months filled with early mornings, long days, and the constant balancing of school, work, and family life. Now, together, they stood at the threshold of something new.
As each family received their keys, the moment carried more than just the excitement of move-in day. This milestone marked the beginning of a new chapter rooted in stability, community, and opportunity in Glenn County. Held in celebration of National Homeownership Month and during NeighborWorks Week, the ceremony honored the completion of new homes and the perseverance, sacrifice, and shared determination that made them possible. Through CHIP’s Self-Help Housing program, these homes were built, side by side, with neighbors who became partners in the journey.
Surrounded by local leaders, partners, CHIP staff, and community members, the event in Orland, CA, was both a celebration and a reflection of what can happen when communities invest in people and work together toward a shared goal.
For many in attendance, the significance of the moment extended beyond a single neighborhood. Assemblyman James Gallagher (now Congressman Gallagher), who joined the celebration, reflected on growing up in rural Northern California and the role that efforts like this play in keeping communities strong and connected.
“Housing, a home, is a fundamental part of the American Dream. I’ve been honored to be part of this work throughout our district, and this is a special moment… During my time in the State Assembly, I’ve been part of many efforts to build new homes, affordable homes in our communities. Seana [O’Shaughnessy] and CHIP have been such a key partner in all of that, and I want to say thank you to them… [for bringing] new housing and opportunities for people to get into a home.”
Projects like Orland Park Estates are made possible through long-standing partnerships and support from USDA Rural Development, the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) through its CalHOME program, the Housing Assistance Council, and NeighborWorks America, demonstrating how federal, state, and nonprofit collaboration can create meaningful solutions to the housing challenges facing rural communities.
USDA Rural Development California State Director Bryan Anguiano also addressed the crowd. His remarks highlighted not only the achievement being celebrated that day, but the decades-long partnership behind it.
“Today we celebrate another milestone in our long and meaningful partnership between USDA and Community Housing Improvement Program. Moments like today remind us why USDA exists: to help strengthen rural communities, open doors to opportunity, and support families in achieving the American Dream of homeownership.
USDA’s relationship with CHIP goes back a remarkable 45 years, since 1981… We’re happy to announce that, effective May 1, 2026, CHIP was awarded a new 523 Self-Help technical assistance grant, totaling $4.2 million [over the next two to three years]. This investment will support the construction of 88 additional homes—88 more families who will get to live the American dream.
Now our partnership extends beyond technical assistance. Through the 502 program, USDA Rural Development has provided more than $20 million in financing to homeowners right here in Orland Park. That’s $20 million invested directly into families like yours—working hard, building equity, and contributing to the strength and vitality of this community.”
While leaders spoke to policy, partnership, and progress, the heart of the ceremony was found in the voices of the families themselves.
One of the most powerful moments came from Ariana, the daughter of Self-Help homeowners and a 2026 recipient of CHIP’s Housing Educational Success Scholarship. Speaking on behalf of the families, she shared reflections on her family’s journey: the hard work, the sacrifices made, and the pride in seeing those efforts take shape as a home.
For families like hers, the Self-Help program is more than a path to homeownership. It is a foundation for the future: opening doors to new opportunities, greater financial stability, and the ability to build something that lasts for generations to come.
CHIP President and CEO Seana O’Shaughnessy echoed that sentiment.
“This is not just construction. It’s families shaping their futures, neighbors building lifelong bonds, and a community creating stability.”
Behind each home is also a network of support guiding families through every step of the journey. Self-Help Housing Specialist Judy Orozco has worked closely with participants from application to move-in day, witnessing firsthand the dedication it takes to reach this moment.
“Many families in the North State have benefited from the 502 Self-Help Program. It’s extremely hard—managing a home life, a family, and still having the dedication to come out to the site and build your home is amazing. This group alone, group 4, all eight families, put in over 1,400 hours to complete their homes.”
Those hours represent labor, persistence, teamwork, and a shared belief in what was possible. Orland Park Estates, a 64-home affordable housing community featuring three-, four-, and five-bedroom homes, represents the continuation of that vision. As CHIP’s tenth subdivision in Orland, it stands as a testament to a long-standing commitment to expanding access to homeownership in Glenn County.
As National Homeownership Month shines a light on the importance of stable, affordable housing, the families of Orland Park Estates offer a powerful reminder of what is possible. Their journeys reflect the impact of partnership, the strength of community, and the resilience required to turn a dream into reality.
Learn more about how you can support affordable homeownership in Northern California at chiphousing.org.
